Senior Sydney Brough’s decisive and game-tying goal was cheered on by an anxious crowd and — more uniquely — her sideline-canine-supporter Zeus, at UCA women’s soccer’s Pups at the Pitch matchup against Jacksonville State University on Thursday, Oct. 6.

Although the Bears (5-7-3, 3-3-2 ASUN) drew with the Gamecocks 2-2, the team’s effort in the last half was definitely something to howl about. 

UCA Coach Jeremy Bishop said, “The second half was really good. I think we made some key adjustments at halftime and we were able to create a lot of opportunities to score which is what it’s about. Then we just gotta finish them.”

The first saw an equal amount of shots and saves from either team, with the Gamecocks holding the lead 1-0.

Jacksonville State (2-11-1, 0-5-1 ASUN) has had a rocky start to its conference season, coming into the game with zero conference wins and no goals scored in its past four games. 

JSU junior defender Kylie Wells broke the team’s scoring dry spell with her goal 20 minutes into the match.

Gamecocks Coach Neil Macdonald credited Wells’ success to her aggressive playing style and ability to stay on the ball, according to JSU’s Athletics website.

UCA’s Bishop saw the potential holes in his team’s playing style.

“If you’re not creating [opportunities], that’s a bigger problem, but we’ve created them tonight. Now we just gotta put them away,” Bishop said. 

Despite the significant goal from the Gamecocks, the Bears refused to give the game up. 

After halftime, a much more aggressive playing style was present on the field.

Compared to five shots in the first half, UCA came out swinging with a total of 15 shots in the second. 

Graduate student defender Taylor Webb kicked off the Bear’s renewed offense with a shot just two minutes in. Webb continued to stay on the ball, taking her winning attitude until the 90-minute mark. 

Bishop said, “Taylor Webb was really good; starting the attack and defending well for us.”

Just a few minutes after Webb’s rallying shot, sophomore forward Anna Kerr tied the game 1-1 off an assist from freshman forward Nina Mazolla. 

The goal was Kerr’s first of the season and Mazolla’s first assist. 

JSU’s Wells grabbed her team its second goal off a penalty kick in the 67th minute, bringing the score to 2-1, Bears down. 

Not to be shown up, Brough quickly grabbed the reins with the final goal of the night just one minute later, bringing the score to 2-2.

Brough said, “It felt amazing to get that goal. I feel like I’m always working hard and deserving it, and yes, I definitely heard [Zeus] the whole game.”

Bishop said Brough was a stand-out player.

“Sydney continues to battle. She got a really nice goal with a combination play with her and [senior forward] Taylor Lassiter,” Bishop said. 

Though the Bears could not regain possession of the match, the team’s total of 20 shots against the Gamecocks marks their highest offensive effort of the season so far. 

Brough, junior defender Alyssa Aultman, sophomore defender Gabby Thies and junior midfielder Emily Wissel-Littman took shots in the first. 

In the second, shots were made by Webb, senior midfielder Abby Gibson, Lassiter, sophomore midfielder Abby Johnson and freshman midfielder Emma Rehm.

Bishop said, “Gibson’s always all over the [field]. She had a great game, and created a lot of opportunities for us.”

Walsh played a total of 56 minutes, one of her more intensive games of the season.

“Amanda Walsh had probably her best game of the year,” Bishop said. “She was all over it in the second half especially, so we need her to keep doing that.”

Manning the net, freshman goalkeeper Lenja Kenstel grabbed three saves in the first and one in the second. 

After the buzzer rang out the end of the game, the players received some post-game-TLC from their furry friends waiting on the sidelines. 

The Bears’ next game against Kennesaw State was a shutout 1-0 on Sunday, Oct. 9. 

The team will face the North Alabama Lions at home in a 3 p.m. game on Sunday, Oct. 16. After that, they’ll hit the road one last time before championships to play the Florida Gulf Coast University Eagles in Fort Myers, Florida, at 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 22.