Conway – The Central Arkansas Bears returned to the Bill Stephens Soccer Complex on Friday night for a matchup against the Southland Conference-leading Stephen F. Austin Ladyjacks. SFA took the lead early in the second half, but a late strike from the Bears secured the draw.

The first half was a strategic affair as both sides spent the majority of the first 45 minutes probing each other's defenses for weaknesses. At the half, neither team had been able to score and each had put just two shots on goal.

 The Ladyjacks (5-6-2, 4-0-2 SLC) turned on the pressure after the break, dominating possession for the first eight minutes of the half. The scoring drought was broken in the 54^th minute, when Central Arkansas keeper Anna Hughes attempted to punch away a free kick, only to have it rebound off of a UCA defender and into the net to give SFA a 1-0 lead.

Despite solid scoring chances from freshman Camille Bassett and junior Shelby Wilson, the lead looked safe until the 88^th minute, when sophomore Stacia Carroll launched a ball from midfield. SFA keeper Lillie Ehlert misplayed the ball, which bounced over her head and in to even the score at 1-1.

"It's interesting, because both goals tonight were not really great plays," said Central Arkansas head coach Jeremy Bishop. "As good as the match tonight was, they weren't necessarily very good soccer plays. But Stacia does a good job of putting the ball into dangerous positons on her crosses, and on a night like tonight, when the ball is skipping a bit, you get lucky"

In the first overtime period, Central Arkansas (6-7-1, 3-2-1 SLC) went on the attack, putting three shots on goal, but the Bears were unable to find the golden goal, sending the match to a second overtime.

In the second extra session, it was the Ladyjacks' turn to go on the assault, as they answered with three shots on goal of their own, but they too were unsuccessful in their search for the game-winner.

"I felt like the first half was an even match, but the second half I think they probably had the better of it," said Bishop. "Finally, when we started getting ahold of the ball late in the second half and giving ourselves opportunities, and especially after we tied it up, and in the first overtime, we had some good shots to win it. Tremendous effort by our girls tonight, they showed a lot of effort and a lot of heart."

On the night, Central Arkansas put 10 shots on goal, led by sophomore Alex Moore, who was on frame with three of her four attempts. Wilson, Carroll, and sophomore Dayna Mounie each put two shots on frame, while junior Allie Coleman put one shot on goal.

In net for the Bears, Hughes made a career-high 13 saves.

"We've been playing both Anna and Lauren [Mercuri] a lot this year, and Anna got the start back tonight and made tremendous saves all night long," said Bishop of his sophomore net-minder. "She had a great effort tonight."

Central Arkansas returns to action next Friday night, welcoming Houston Baptist to the Stephens. The Bears will celebrate senior night before the match, honoring the careers of senior Megan Thomas, as well as junior Kate Koch. Kickoff is set for 7:00 PM. "We're looking forward to the last home stand, and being able to honor Megan and her four years is going to be a great, as well as honoring Kate, who will be graduating early. Both girls have meant a lot to our program, and but a lot work and effort in, so it's going to be exciting for them."