Lightning cut short the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff’s first athletic contest of the season Friday afternoon.
The UAPB women’s soccer team played Williams Baptist University to a 2-2 draw in a preseason exhibition match at the Pumphrey Soccer Complex. The game was called off with 17:54 remaining in the second half because of lightning in the area.
New UAPB coach Emanuel Stephens said the Lady Lions have some things to work on, but he is proud of them overall.
“We’re trying to develop the style of play that we want,” Stephens said. “I’m happy with some things. Obviously, we learned a lot. I’m thankful for them for coming out and letting us get this test. … We have to just get a little bit more bite to us.”
Senior forward Ashley McGuire scored both UAPB goals, with fellow senior Denisse Quintanilla assisting. WBU junior forward Yajaira Alvarado scored both goals for the Lady Eagles.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
McGuire gave UAPB an early 1-0 lead just over two minutes into the match by tapping in Quintanilla’s corner kick at the near post.
Both sides had chances throughout the rest of the half. UAPB nearly doubled its lead when WBU goalkeeper Nevaeh Larkins misplayed the ball right to McGuire, but her shot sailed over the crossbar.
UAPB goalkeeper Makaila Riedel made three saves in the first half, including one from point-blank range soon after McGuire’s miss. Late in the half, the Lady Lions had another near-miss after taking the ball away from WBU on a corner.
The score remained 1-0 at halftime, but the Lady Eagles dominated the first 17 minutes of the second half. After several missed opportunities, Alvarado scored twice in less than three minutes to give WBU a 2-1 lead with 27:56 remaining.
The lead lasted 12 seconds. McGuire scored her second goal from Quintanilla’s second assist directly from the restart to tie the match at 2.
Stephens said he enjoyed the quick response by his team.
“I really appreciated the fact some of the older players were like, ‘Hey, listen, let’s go and get back in this,'” Stephens said. “We did. You never think it’s going to be that quick, but that’s always a blessing to be able to do that that fast.”
McGuire’s second goal flipped the match. UAPB dominated the rest of the game until the weather stoppage. Quintanilla nearly gave the Lady Lions the lead, but substitute WBU goalkeeper Lisa Craig saved the game for her team.
UAPB was set to take a corner when play was halted by the officials. After a roughly 30-minute delay, the teams agreed to abandon the rest of the match with lightning still nearby.
The preseason match was Stephens’ debut as coach. He was hired earlier this month after previous head coach Jayme Selph abruptly resigned.
Stephens said he has only been with the team for about a week and a half.
“It’s been a whirlwind, but everybody’s been nice,” Stephens said. “Been trying to accommodate and get things together. Taking over a program who was in a rebuild is tough, but I thank the (athletic director) and his staff. They all have been unbelievably welcoming dealing with me and my new ideas and philosophies and thoughts and things I want to see with the program.”
The Lady Lions will begin their 2025 regular season Sunday when they host the University of Arkansas at Little Rock at noon.