FOOTBALL
UCA announces stadium policies
The University of Central Arkansas announced its home football seating protocols for the 2020-21 season Wednesday, which will include limiting capacity to approximately 20%.
Estes Stadium, which has a capacity of 10,000, will be limited to 2,000 fans, and all in attendance will be required to wear masks once they enter the stadium. Season-ticket holders will be given first access to reserving seats, and any available tickets after that will be provided to the general public on Thursdays ahead of each home game. Tailgating -- as well as the "Bear Walk" -- will not be allowed this season on Bruce Street, in accordance with the Arkansas Department of Health's guidelines, according to a news release.
UCA will have only two home games this season, with Missouri State serving as the home opener on Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. and Eastern Kentucky on Nov. 11 at 3 p.m.
-- George Stoia
SOCCER
Arkansas picked to win SEC
The University of Arkansas is the preseason favorite to win the SEC soccer championship, according to a poll of league coaches that was released Wednesday.
The Razorbacks are the reigning SEC champion after posting an 8-1-1 record in conference play last season. The team was 17-4-1 overall last year, including a victory in the NCAA Tournament and runner-up finish at the SEC Tournament.
Arkansas returns several players from that team, including leading scorers Anna Podojil, Parker Goins and Taylor Malham, and top defender Haley VanFossen. All four players were All-SEC last season, as was returning defender Bryana Hunter.
The Razorbacks are scheduled to open the season Saturday at 3 p.m. with a home game against LSU. Arkansas' eight-game, SEC-only schedule also includes games against South Carolina and Texas A&M, the teams picked to finish second and third, respectively, in the league.
-- Matt Jones
ASU's MacIntosh honored
Victoria MacIntosh of Arkansas State University was honored as the Sun Belt Conference Offensive Player of the Week on Wednesday.
MacIntosh scored the only goal on a penalty kick in the Red Wolves' 1-0 victory over the University of Central Arkansas on Sunday.
Arkansas State's next match is Sunday in Jonesboro against Louisiana-Monroe.
-- Democrat-Gazette Press Services