MACON, Ga. — Central Arkansas was held to just five shots and three on goal as the Bears suffered their fifth shutout loss of the season, falling 1-0 at Mercer on Saturday. 

UCA (1-7-3) surrendered the lone goal of the match in the fifth minute to Mercer's Will Betts; and though UCA kept Mercer off the board for the remaining 85:12, the Bears were unable to counter. 

Mercer (6-6-1) had 14 shots and tested UCA goalkeeper Patxi Shortsleeve with nine on goal. Shortsleeve had eight saves to tie the team's season high, matching Amir Pasic's total against Louisville. 

Mercer goalkeeper Greg Ranjitsingh recorded three saves in the win, stopping shots from UCA's Chris Deaville, Taylor Hart and Ethan Miller. 

The Bears will return home Wednesday for a Missouri Valley Conference matchup against Evansville. It marks the first of three straight home games for the Bears, who will close out the season with five of their final six games in Conway. Following Wednesday's game, the Bears will host Drake on Saturday and Memphis the following Wednesday before heading to Omaha, Neb. to take on Creighton in the final road game of the season. The Bears will then finish up at home against Bradley and Western Illinois.