LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Central Arkansas scored just over five minutes into Saturday night's Atlantic Sun Conference opener with the Bellarmine University men's soccer team, and the Bears made it stand up in a 1-0 victory over the Knights in Owsley B. Frazier Stadium.

Bellarmine (2-3-2, 0-1 ASUN) had its chances to equalize and Central Arkansas (4-3, 1-0) its opportunities to expand on its advantage, but Devonte Richards' goal in the sixth minute was ultimately the difference.

UCA's Tajio James tapped to Sohma Ichikawa down the right wing, and Ichikawa's cross found the foot of Richards, who converted for the early lead.

In its attempt to draw even, Bellarmine hit the crossbar multiple times. Senior forward Chris Shust ripped a header off a free kick from senior defender Austin Yowell that caromed off the woodwork in the first half, and junior defender Rhys Davies knocked a header off a corner kick from Yowell off the pipes in the second stanza.

Central Arkansas' Charles-Emile Brunet had a shot ricochet off the crossbar. Bellarmine senior goalkeeper Peter Van Euwen had a spectacular save on a point-blank look by Brunet to keep it a one-goal game in the first half.

Van Euwen registered six saves, his second-highest output of the season. The Knights suffered their second shutout of the year.

Central Arkansas had a 15-12 edge in shots, including 7-6 on frame. The Bears also had a 7-6 advantage on corner kicks.

Bellarmine will play at 8 p.m. (ET) next Saturday at Lipscomb.

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