CONWAY, Ark. – Despite netting a pair of goals early in the first half, the Queens University of Charlotte women's soccer team dropped their Atlantic Sun opener 3-2 at Central Arkansas on Thursday night. The conference opener was highlighted by a pair of firsts as Mia Banchero netted her first career goal while Ansleigh Prell dished out her first career assist.
 
SCORING SUMMARY
12' – QUEENS – Sophia Muetterties (Assist Ansleigh Prell)
15' – QUEENS – Mia Banchero (Assist Maddy Leone and Sarah Kelley)
26' – CENTRAL ARKANSAS – Kelly Van Gundy (Assist Brianna Lopez)
44' – CENTRAL ARKANSAS – Caroline Billings (Assist Kayla Hurley)
89' – CENTRAL ARKANSAS – Sophia Backstrom (Assist Anna Kerr)

TURNING POINT
The visiting Royals jumped on the Bears quickly as goals in the 12^th and 15^th minutes gave the Royals a surging lead. Ansleigh Prell set up the first goal of the match by sending a ball into the box where Sophia Muetterties ripped a shot into the top right corner of the frame. Just three minutes later, Sarah Kelley capitalized on a throw-in by finding Maddy Leone in the corner. The senior one-touched a pass into the box finding the right boot of Mia Banchero who beat the keeper to the bottom right corner of the net. Central Arkansas would respond in the 26^th minute to cut into the deficit before a late first-half goal off a corner kick opportunity would tie it up. Despite a tough battle, the difference in the match came in the 89^th minute as a cross into the box from Anna Kerr set up the game-winner from Sophia Backstrom.

KEY STATS & NOTES

• Graduate student Sophia Muetterties netted her third goal of the season, and the 10^th goal of her career to put the Royals on the board. The Wayne, Pennsylvania native turned in 82 minutes of work.
• Junior Mia Banchero made her second straight start and recorded her first career goal in a 54-minute performance.
• Rookie Ansleigh Prell dished out her first career assist on the 12th-minute goal.
• Senior forward Maddy Leone recorded an assist for the second straight match as she increased her career total to seven.
• Defender Sarah Kelley posted her second career assist on the 15th-minute goal.
• Four Royals, including Kelsey Jargstorf, Savannah Stuart, Sejla Podzic, and Julianna Hunter turned in complete games.
• Central Arkansas outshot the Royals 22-5, including a 10-4 mark on goal.

 
UP NEXT
Queens will return home and prepare for a three-game homestand as the Royals welcome North Alabama on Sunday, September 22^nd. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. from Dickson Field and the match will be broadcast on ESPN Plus. Fans can purchase their tickets in advance by visiting the Queens Athletics website.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
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