APSU’s soccer team played well but failed to net the needed comeback Thursday night following three games on the road. Lucas Bales | THE ALL STATE

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – For the first time in program history, Austin Peay State University hosted the University of Central Arkansas on the home turf of Morgan Bros. Soccer Field. The game started out as a stalemate for the entirety of the first half, but ended in a 2-1 loss for the Governors in the final half.

The Governors put up a strong fight against the Sugar Bears, starting with an early shot by Knoxville native Hannah Wilson less than 30 seconds into the game. The next three consecutive shots were by Central Arkansas, one of which was far right and the other two stopped by APSU goalie, Katie Bahn.

APSU and UCA continued alternating shots, with the Governors having a total of 15 shots and 5 shots on goal compared to the Bears’ 18 shots and an equal 5 on goal.

For the Hometown Team, these shots were made by freshman Anaya Mack (4 shots, 3 shots on goal), senior Hannah Wilson (1 shot), junior Alec Baumgaurdt (4 shots, 1 shot on goal), junior Hannah Zahn (2 shots, 1 shot on goal), senior Annabel Anderson (1 shot), sophomore Ellie Dreas (1 shot), freshman Alana Owens (1 shot) and junior Olivia Prock (1 shot).

Zahn also netted the sole point of the night for the Governors, her first of the season and her first at APSU. As a transfer, that brings her career total to 2 collegiate goals. She is also now APSU’s eighth best scorer of the 2023-2024 season.

Zahn scored with less than 10 minutes remaining in the second half, following goals by UCA in the first 31 seconds of the half and an accidental own goal by APSU with 21 minutes remaining.

Still, despite a tough loss against a fellow ASUN conference team, APSU saw stand-out performances by Mack and Bahn, conference lead contenders in scores and saves respectively. Mack had the most shots and shots on goal for the Governors, while Bahn managed 4 saves, two of which were back to back in the 11th minute.

UCA continues a streak now totaling 5 unbeaten games in a row, as well as two out of two victories against APSU following last season’s away game in Conway.

The Governor’s season will continue for senior day against the University of North Alabama on Sunday, October 1 at home on Morgan Bros. Soccer Field. The game will begin at 1 pm.