The Lipscomb University Bisons trampled the Bears 6-3 at their home field in Nashville, giving UCA its first loss in the ASUN men’s soccer conference Sept. 30.
The loss leaves the Bears (2-5-2, 1-1-1 ASUN) tied in third place with Bellarmine University and Stetson University in the conference standings with four points, while Lipscomb University (4-2-3, 3-0 ASUN) continues to dominate in first place with nine conference points.
“We did a number of good things from the start and had a number of opportunities that we did not capitalize on,” coach Frank Kohlenstein said. “The opponent did much better in taking advantage when we lost focus. The guys are continuing to improve and play better together.”
Despite the loss, two players made their first goals of the season in the game against Lipscomb.
Devonte Richards, a junior forward/midfielder from Bridgetown, Barbados, scored the Bears’ only goal of the first half, his first goal of the season.
Jackson Dutton, a freshman defender from Keller, Texas, scored the first goal of his college career in the second half.
Graduate student and midfielder Jerry Gutierrez said, “Spotlight of the match would go to Jackson Dutton. He not only made his debut with the team but also managed to score his first goal. Massive steps for him as he works towards getting more minutes and eventually starting.”
Dutton’s goal was quickly followed by another from sophomore midfielder Ignacio Bellina, from Santa Maria Marianistas, Peru, bringing the final score to 6-3.
Kohlenstein said Bellina and junior defender Josh Baros’ performances were “very intense.”
Gutierrez said, “We are definitely showing some growth but still have some progress to be made as a team.
“We could have put more into the game, but unfortunately moments that involved lack of focus cost us some goals.”
Gutierrez said the most challenging part of the game was “being able to have faith in our game plan and continue to grind out the match.”
“We showed glimpses of what happens when you continue to put your body on the line and make runs,” Gutierrez said.
The Bears have now lost to Lipscomb University seven times in a row, continuing a losing streak against the Bisons that has stretched for over nine years, starting with a loss on Oct. 24, 2013.
The last time UCA faced Lipscomb was in fall 2022 when the Bears lost the ASUN championship game to the Bisons 6-2.
Kohlenstein, who ASUN named Coach of the Year in 2021 after one season with the Bears said, “Lipscomb is a top-level team that we want to be able to defeat, but we will need to improve our focus and execution.”
“Areas we will work on for Jacksonville are focus, intensity and execution,” Kohlenstein said. “[We] do those in training so we accomplish that level in matches.”
UCA will continue in the ASUN conference with a game against the Jacksonville University Dolphins on their home turf Oct. 7.