Final Score: Lipscomb 4, Central Arkansas: 0
Location: Nashville, Tenn. (Lipscomb Soccer Complex)
Records: Lipscomb: 9-3-4 (6-1, ASUN), Central Arkansas: 4-9-4 (2-2-3, ASUN)
SCORING SUMMARY
HOW IT HAPPENED
The highly anticipated matchup between the Bears and the Bisons got off to a blistering pace from the opening whistle. Central Arkansas had a couple of good-looking attacks early, but the Lipscomb defense comfortably handled them. Lipscomb settled in and became the aggressor and it never looked back.
In the 27' minute,
Daniel Stampatori got Lipscomb on the board when
Malachi Jones connected with him on the right side. Stampatori dribbled in the box and took a shot that was blocked by a UCA defender. However, Stampatori collected the rebound and knocked in his second attempt for a 1-0 advantage.
After going into the half ahead by a strike, the Bisons scored three in the second half to finish off the Bears.
The Bisons got back on the board in the 53' minute when
Luca Naumann forced a turnover in UCA's defensive third. He played the ball to
Adam McAleenan who connected with
Malachi Jones on the wing. Ploutarchos overtook his defender to get on the end of the resulting pass and put a high-class finish to the back of the net for a 2-0 lead.
In the 60' minute, Central Arkansas was issued a red card after a challenge to Lipscomb keeper
Juan Carlos Rodriguez, forcing the Bears to play with 10 men for the remainder of the match.
Javanne Smith sealed the deal for the Bisons with a brace in the final 30 minutes of the match. He scored in both the 67' minute and 80' minute for a 4-0 lead.
Smith's goal in the 67' minute was once again started by a brilliant pass in the middle from
Luca Naumann to Alonefti. Alonefti played a ball over the top for Jones who got in behind his defender. The cross came to Smith in front of goal and he calmly slotted the ball home for a 3-0 advantage.
The final goal of the match was clinical from the Lipscomb side. After mounting an attack up the right side, Stampatori found
Burl Shepherd who was streaking up the middle. He one-touched a pass at the top of the box to Smith who was waiting at the top of the six-yard line. Smith banged in a right-footed goal for the 4-0 advantage.
Lipscomb held onto the lead for the remainder of the match and cemented a spot in the ASUN Tournament Championship match for the third-consecutive season.
HERD NOTES
- The Bisons outshot the Bears 24-9 on the night and directed 14 of those shots on frame.
- Stampatori's goal was the first of his career.
- Alonefti's assist was his 12th of the season, which set a Lipscomb Single-Season Program Record.
- Lipscomb took 13 corners to UCA's 4.
UP NEXT
No. 1 Lipscomb will host No. 2 Bellarmine in the ASUN Tournament Championship match on Saturday, Nov. 11. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. CT.
