Weather halts St. Joe-Episcopal soccer

By Clark Johnson
UCA sportswriting

Tuesday's storms kept the St. Joseph Bulldogs from cashing in their 1-0 advantage against Episcopal Collegiate.

The Bulldogs claimed a 1-0 lead in the 16th minute at Centennial Park in Conway, but the game was called later because of inclement weather. St. Joseph coach Kevin Rittman said the game wouldn't be made up because conference games take precedence over non-conference games. The game also won’t count toward the team’s record.

The Bulldogs (7-2, 4-1) controlled the pace of the game early in the first half, tallying five shots on goal before one found its way to the back of the net. In the 16th minute, sophomore Drew Hambuchen sent the ball past the Episcopal Collegiate keeper. Following a cross into the goal box, numerous Bulldogs tried to claim the ball in a trench fight for possession, but Hambuchen came up with it and gave St. Joseph the early lead.

During the first half, St. Joseph dominated possession as the Wildcats barely took the ball on St. Joseph’s side of the field.

Rittman said the Wildcats were just looking to keep the ball out of harm’s way.

“It was a game of kickball,” he said.

St. Joseph will look to get a full game in when it takes on Conway Christian on Tuesday at Centennial Park.