(September 2, 2024) Mena, Arkansas - After an eventful 24 hours, the Bucks were supposed to play at Eastern Oklahoma State on Sunday; however, mother nature stepped in and made the Mountaineer's field unplayable. The ladies returned home and play Monday afternoon at Tapley Park to kickoff their region schedule.

 

The ladies knew they were in for a tough challenge at Eastern because of the history of results going the way of Eastern for so long. It was an interesting start to the game as UARM began with an attacking line up, which 'bucked' the trend of previous Rich Mountain teams who have had a more defensive/transition style. Eastern jumped out of the blocks quickly, switching the play from side to side and making a lot of forward passes into the heart of the Bucks defense. This constant pressure led to a lot of misplaced kicks, clearances, and passes from Buck players which only added to the pressure. The Bucks back line stood tall and soaked up the pressure, giving the rest of the team chances to try and catch Eastern off balance on counter attacks. 

 

The score at half time was a great achievement for the Bucks, going into the break 0-0. The Bucks used the half time break to change a few things around and put in an additional midfielder to help break up Eastern's build up play to provide the Bucks with a stronger platform from which to spring counter attacks.

 

The change made a huge difference in the game. Suddenly, the Bucks took control of the game. Within minutes of the restart, Audrey Jordan (Shreveport, LA) had two good looks at goal which brought out a great save from the keeper, and the other shot drifted just wide of the far post. The momentum was with the Bucks, which resulted in a score during the next attack. The Eastern goalkeeper kicked the ball against the back of one of her defenders, and the ball fell to Jordan who cut the ball inside for Jasmin Bislev Nielsen (Aabybro, Denmark) to finish into an unguarded net.

 

Levels of concentration dropped as the team was in celebration mode during a quick counter punch form Eastern. A high curling shot from the left sailed over Mac Dellinger's (Little Rock, AR) head to tie the game 1-1. A failure to clear an attacking pass led to the attacking scenario, and this is a facet of the game which UARM needs to improve on if they want to achieve their goals this season.

 

The ladies picked up the pace of the game immediately in response, creating very good scoring opportunities, but Eastern was also still pressing. It took a magnificent save from Dellinger for Bucks clutching the ball with a full-length dive to catch a very powerful shot. During this back and forth, Carla Todd (Lochgilphead, United Kingdom) controlled the ball in midfield and sent an inch perfect pass over the Eastern back line. Jasmin Bislev Nielsen ran onto the ball, dribbled past the advancing keeper to then score into an empty net. Shortly after the tie was broken, it was the same two players combining to give Nielsen a hat trick. A quick free kick lofted over the head of the stationary central defender released Nielsen who finished 1v1 against the keeper this time.  

 

UARM knew they needed a 4^th goal to put more distance between themselves and a very strong Eastern team. Eastern had the potential to come back and still win, but the Bucks got that 4^th goal before Eastern could make a comeback. Kelsie Harden (McAlester, OK) won the ball out wide on defense, fed the ball to Lidia Rodriguez Dominguez (Ourense, Spain) who turned and hit a perfectly weighted through pass for the on-rushing Audrey Jordan. Jordan took it straight to goal and poked the ball past the advancing goalkeeper.  

 

Despite trailing 4-1, Eastern would not lie down and die and kept pushing. The Bucks defensive line found themselve drifting further and further back. As a result, the Bucks defense gave away a penalty kick due to a foul within their own penalty box. Eastern scored the penalty low to the right, and it looked like the last minutes of the game was going to be a case of Eastern pushing and Bucks defending.  

 

The game was finally punctuated with a final goal from UARM. Audrey Jordan broke down the left wing and caressed a wonderfully shaped pass down the line for Jasmin Bislev Nielsen to run onto. A quick cut inside the defender opened up the goal, and Nielsen released a high bending shot which settled into the net off the far post. A great way to end a great game. Bucks win and start region play 1-0.

 

Coach Kevin Sherry was pleased with Monday's win, but he knows the ladies have a ways to go to achieve their goals this season. "These first games of the season have been perfect examples of the new attacking entertaining soccer we have adopted, which is occasionally chaotic, but is also adaptable which pleased me the most today.  As we progress through the season, we need to find a balance of using the attacking tools at our disposal together with the need to add a layer of measured defensive control to our style of play as we go deep into the season."

 

The ladies will now face their toughest opponent of the season, #3 Seminole State College, on Wednesday at Tapley Park. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 pm.