CONWAY, ARK. – Campbell finished with an 18-6 advantage in shots, but could not break a 1-1 tie at Central Arkansas Sunday night at the Billy Stephens Soccer Complex.
After falling behind just 9:01 into the contest, the defending Big South Conference champions outplayed a Bears squad that has appeared in the last two NCAA College Cup tournaments.
Just over nine minutes into the contest, Soren Jensen put the Bears ahead 1-0 off an assist from Katsuyoshi Kimishima.
Campbell held Central Arkansas without a shot for more than 30 minutes surrounding the half. CU was rewarded in the 64th minute, when
Thibaut Jacquel's curled a free kick from just outside the box into the top right corner of the net.
In addition to out-shooting the hosts 15-4 after halftime, the Camels finished with a 13-3 edge in corner kicks overall.
Campbell did not allow Central Arkansas to attempt a shot in 20 minutes of extra time and the Camel defense held the Bears without a shot on target for the final 100:59 of play.
"Even though we conceded one early, I thought we were on the front foot from the opening whistle," said Campbell head coach
Dustin Fonder. "We were active, and played our brand of soccer all night. We've just got to get more clinical in front of the net."
After opening the season with a pair of matches against top competition on the road, the Camels face George Mason Friday in a 7 p.m. kick-off for their 2019 home opener at the Eakes Athletic Complex.
"The results haven't been exactly what we wanted, but we've thrown our guys to the wolves early on so that we'll be locked and loaded come time to play conference games," said Fonder.
