(September 29, 2024) Mena, Arkansas - Coming off a shutout loss to Rose State on Wednesday, the ladies returned to action on Sunday at home against Redlands Community College. This match finished the first round of region play for the Bucks. The ladies entered the match 6-2-2 overall and 3-2-2 in region play.

 

In a game in which the Bucks had highlighted as a game of high importance for the ladies seeking to qualify for postseason play, the Bucks started on the front foot trying to get an early break through. The importance of scoring the first goal can never be underestimated, and the ladies were able to get that much needed foothold early on. After only 5 minutes into the game, the Bucks started a quick attack after winning the ball in midfield for Audrey Jordan (Shreveport, LA) to release Lidia Rodriguez Dominguez (Ourense, Spain) in behind the Redlands back line. Rodriguez took one touch to set the ball up, and the second touch to sweep home from 18 yards out.  

 

The momentum was now with the Bucks, and they took full advantage of this 2 minutes later. With almost an exact replica of the first goal, Jasmin Bislev Nielsen (Aabybro, Denmark) released Audrey Jordan into space running onto the opposition goal who then shot low after quick ball manipulation with her feet to set up the shot.

 

Two more goals were scored in the next 20 minutes for the Bucks offense. Maegan Hill (Benton, AR) and Carla Todd (Lochgilphead, United Kingdom) combined to release Nielsen who finished low into the corner, followed by another Nielsen goal from a similar distance after being found by Rodriguez 25 yards from goal. Both of these goals were interspersed by a penalty kick miss by Nielsen who had her kick saved. The ladies were happy with how they attacked the game from the start to get the 4-0 lead at the half.

 

The second half started in much the same way as the first half, and the Bucks attacking play was rewarded with a penalty kick straight after the kick off when Nielsen was fouled in the box. Addison Gonzalez (Wylie, TX) stepped forward and placed the ball low into the corner of the net. Just like London buses, when you wait long enough they come in threes as UARM was awarded another penalty kick for a hand ball, and Gonzalez converted again, but this time to the opposite corner.

 

The rest of the second half played out in the midfield with both teams cancelling each other out in a physical battle. The physical nature of the play led to tiredness for both teams, and as a result, 3 goals were scored in the last 5 minutes: two for UARM and 1 for Redlands. Lidia Rodriguez Dominguez scoring from long range after receiving an excellent pass from Maegan Hill was soon proceeded by Jasmin Bislev Nielsen completing her hat trick finishing low past the keeper running onto a long ball clearance by Carla Todd defending a corner kick.  

 

Coach Sherry was happy for his team after the match. "It was a tough physical challenge and am relieved the players came through it relatively unharmed. It was an important win with regards to our quest of qualifying for postseason play. Everybody did very well today, but Emma Marie Hinkebein (McKinney, TX) caught the eye playing as a defensive midfielder, controlling the game from a deeper position than what she is used to. She won tackles, intercepted loose passes, and was a link from our defense to attack. There is no time for celebration though as we have another game in 48 hours away at Eastern which will be another physical test of our resources."