CONWAY — In the follow-up to their first ever conference win, the Central Arkansas Bears fell a tad bit short against the Memphis Tigers, falling 2-1 on Wednesday afternoon at the Bill Stephens Track/Soccer Complex. The loss dropped the Bears (2-8-4, 1-1-2 MVC) to 1-7-0 all time against the Tigers (10-4-1, 3-3-0 C-USA)
 
The Tigers got rolling early, as their leading goal-scorer Mark Sherrod was able to fire a volley from Liam Collins past the UCA keeper, off the goal post, and into the net for his 16^th goal of the season. The assist was Collins’ 10^th of the season. UCA answered in the 27^th minute, when Taylor Hart fielded a pass from Chris Deaville, dribbled past a defender, and netted his first goal of the season.
 
The game was decidedly more roughly contested in the second half. At half time, there the teams had been whistled for a combined 4 fouls. In the second half, things heated up as the teams were called for an additional 7 fouls. UCA forward Nick Figaro was also issued a yellow card as a result of a hard foul in the 62^nd minute.
 
The Tigers were able to break the 1-1 deadlock in the 74^th minute, as Sherrod was able to win a foot race to a loose ball played forward by Lewis Ellis and rifled a shot into the back of the net for his second goal of the day, and his 17^th of the season.  
 
Despite the fact that three total goals were scored in the match, it proved to be a rather defensive-minded game between the Bears and the Tigers. UCA was able to take only 6 shots in the game, with their 3 on goal coming from Hart, who had 2, and freshman Elia Louis. Memphis keeper Connor Hurley was able to make 2 saves. The tigers proved to be a bit more offensively-minded, though they were not quite as efficient, attempting 10 shots, with 4 on goal. On top of his 2 goals, Sherrod was able to add another shot on goal, while Ellis complemented his assist with a shot on goal as well. Central Arkansas keeper Patxi Shortsleeve faced 4 shots on goal, and managed to make 2 saves.
 
The Bears face a huge challenge in their next game, traveling to Omaha, Nebraska to challenge nationally-ranked Creighton. The game marks a return to Missouri Valley Conference play for the Bears, who are looking to build on their first conference win by pulling another upset against the #3 Blue Jays (13-2-0, 2-1-0 MVC) who are 58-7-4 all-time in MVC play at home. Following that, the Bears return home to host the #22 Bradley Braves (9-4-2, 4-2-0 MVC) in their final conference match of the season. The Bears then close the season with a home date against the Western Illinois Leathernecks (8-5-1, 3-1-0 Summit). The game will not only serve as the final tune-up for the Missouri Valley Tournament, but will also act as senior day, allowing the Bears to honor this year’s group of seniors for all of their contributions to the program.
 
The MVC Tournament will take place in Omaha, Neb. from November 9^th through the 13^th.