CONWAY, Ark. – EKU women's soccer drops the Atlantic Sun Conference Match of the Week to Central Arkansas by a score of 1-0 off a late penalty kick goal in the 64th minute on Thursday night at the Bill Stephens Track/Soccer Complex.
 
UCA's Kelly Van Gundy recorded her third consecutive match scoring the game-winning kick to give EKU its first loss since Sept. 19 at home.
 
With the loss, EKU (6-6-1, 3-2-0 ASUN) falls back to even on the season and remains at nine points in the ASUN Conference tables.
 
Reigning ASUN Player of the Week, Ella Grode, led the Colonels with four shot attempts in Thursday's contest.  Wingers Chiara Premoli and Paula Herranz combined for five shots on the night.

EKU out-shot UCA 14-12 in the match, however, the Sugar Bears claimed the 6-5 advantage in shots on target.
 
EKU and Central Arkansas (5-5-1, 4-0-1 ASUN) played a tough, physical matchup through the first 45 minutes of action.  UCA took its advantage in the 66th minute as Anna Kerr was fouled in the box and awarded a penalty kick, which Van Gundy hit off the roof of the crossbar for the 1-0 lead.
 
The Colonels attempted three shots in the remaining 24 minutes of play, two of which were saved by UCA keeper Kajsa Pruner, and were unable to find the equalizer to end Sunday's affair on the wrong end of a 1-0 decision.
 
Despite the loss, Marah Krick saved five shots across 12 attempts to move her career total to 158 since 2021. The Glenmoore, Pa., native needs eight more saves to move into fourth in EKU program history.
 
EKU will continue its road swing on Sunday against North Alabama.  The match is scheduled to kickoff at 1 p.m. EST and live stats can be found on Statbroadcast Live.