Abilene, Texas –

The Central Arkansas women's soccer team returned to action on the road on Friday, traveling to Abilene, Texas to face off with new Southland Conference opponent Abilene Christian. The Bears surrendered two first half goals to the Wildcats and were unable to mount a comeback, falling 2-1.

Abilene Christian (10-1-1, 4-1-0 SLC) got on the board in the sixth minute, as Madison Brown collected a pass from Andrea Carpenter and blasted a shot from 30 yards out. Central Arkansas (5-4-2, 2-1-0 SLC) keeper Kaitlyn Keith dove to make the save, but the ball was just out of her reach, glancing off of her hand and into the net. The Wildcats added to their lead in the 39^th minute, when Natalie Throneberry one-timed a pass from Whitley Lindholm into the goal from 18 yards out. Marisela Chavez pulled the Bears to within 2-1 in the 74^th minute, corralling a deflected goal kick from Shelby Wilson and knocking it home from inside the six-yard box. Chavez's goal ended the scoring in the game.

Wilson led the Central Arkansas offense, placing all three of her shots on goal. Chavez placed one of her two shots on target, while Sarah Correll, Abby Hodgson, and Sara Perlman each added a shot on goal. Jacey Ferrara was on target with two of her four shots, and Carpenter, Lindholm, and Throneberry each put one of their two shots on frame. Keith played the first half in goal for the Bears, making a save and allowing two goals. Lyndzey Goff made three saves in the second half. Kelsey Dombrowski made six saves and allowed on goal in net for Abilene Christian.

The Bears return to action on Sunday, heading to San Antonio, Texas for a match against Incarnate Word. The game is scheduled to begin at 1:00 pm.