Kats beat Sugar bears

The Bearkat women's soccer team faced off against the University of Central Arkansas Friday on a very muddy Pritchett Field. The Bearkats defeated the Sugar Bears 4-2.

Even though it was senior night, freshman midfielder Kirby Zak stole the show. Within the first 19 minutes of the game she completed a hat trick, her second of this season.

Her first goal came in the fourth minute when she lofted the ball over the UCA defenders and the goal keeper to put the Bearkats up 1-0.

The Sugar Bears tied the game at the 16 minute mark but Zak answered that goal with two of her own, just one minute apart from each other in the 18 and 19 minutes.

Zak's second goal of the game was truly a heroic effort; she dribbled through five defenders to make the shot, which the UCA keeper put a hand on but was unable to keep from going in.

"I'm shocked. I wasn't really expecting that tonight," Zak said of her hat trick.

The Sugar Bears scored once more in the 23 minute, leaving the score 3-2 at halftime.

Freshman striker Shelby Grissett put one more ball in the net for the Bearkats at the 85 minute, and the team was able to hold off UCA till the whistle, making the final score 4-2.

With their win, the Bearkats qualify for the playoffs in Natchitoches, LA, beginning Nov. 5.