Conway – Following an eight day break, and an 11 day break from conference play, the Central Arkansas men's soccer team returns to Missouri Valley Conference play with a pair of matches this week. The Bears will host SIUE at the Bill Stephens Complex tonight at 7:00 PM, before taking on Drake at 7:00 PM Saturday evening in Des Moines, Iowa.

"The weekend off couldn't have come at a better time," said UCA head coach Ross Duncan. "We were able to get our guys some much-needed rest and put in some actual tactical work on our system."

The Bears (5-7-1, 2-3-0 MVC) are currently riding a three match winning streak, their longest since 2012, and are looking for their third-straight MVC win. Most recently, UCA stepped out of MVC play, taking down region rival Memphis for just the second time in program history thanks for freshman Niklas Brodacki's second hat trick of the season, a program record. On the season, UCA ranks second in the Valley in scoring, averaging 1.69 goals per game, while sitting third in total goals (22), assists (21), and points (65). Defensively, the Bears sit in the middle of the MVC table, having a allowed 18 goals for a goals against average of 1.33, both of which are good for fourth in the league. The Bears have collected four shutouts this season, which ranks fifth in the MVC.

Individually, Brodacki leads the Valley in seven offensive categories, including total points (21), total goals (11), points per game (1.69), goals per game (0.85), and game-winning goals (4), while sitting fifth nationally in goals per game and seventh in total goals. He leads all freshmen nationally in scoring. Senior Wes Carson is sixth in the conference in total goals (5) and total points (13), while sophomore Daltyn Knutson is fourth in total assists (5) and third in assists per game (0.38). In goal, freshman Marc Olsen is second in the Valley in total saves (58), saves per game (4.46), and save percentage (.763), and has a GAA of 1.33 and four shutouts.

SIUE (7-4-3, 3-1-1 MVC) are currently riding a seven match unbeaten streak, having compiled a 6-0-1 record over that span. The Cougars rely on a staunch defense that has allowed just 12 goals in 14 matches, good for a GAA of just 0.80, which is the third-best in the Valley. Offensively, SIUE sits fifth in the Valley in points (52), goals (17), and goals per game (1.21), while ranking fourth in assists (18). The Cougars are led by junior Devyn Jambga (4 goals, 2 assists), whose 10 points are tied for ninth in the conference, while senior Austin Ledbetter has tallied nine points on four goals and an assist. In goal, junior Kyle Dal Santo has played every minute for the Cougars, leading the Valley with a .815 save percentage and ranking third in GAA (0.80), saves (53), and saves per game (3.79). Dal Santo has collected five clean sheets on the year. SIUE leads the all-time series with the Bears with a record of 8-2-1, and have won four straight, including a 4-0 win in Edwardsville, Illinois last season.

"The game tonight is one we've been looking forward to," said Duncan. "We are bringing a lot of confidence into this one but we know SIUE will be a difficult opponent. Being in a conference like the MVC doesn't allow you to take any games off."

 Drake (4-9-1, 1-4-1 MVC) is coming off of a 4-3 loss to Evansville last week and will take on Bradley tonight before welcoming the Bears on Saturday. The Bulldogs sit in the middle of the conference in most offensive categories, ranking fourth in points (53), goals (18), and goals per game (1.29) while sitting fifth in assists (17). Defensively, Drake has allowed 26 goals for a 1.86 GAA while picking up three shutouts. Senior James Wypych (6 goals, 4 assists) ranks second in the Valley in points per game (1.14), third in total points (16) and goals, and is tied for sixth in assists. Junior Steven Enna has added four goals, while freshman Antonio Sanchez has collected four assists. In goal, the Bulldogs have depended on senior Darrin MacLeod, who is fourth in the MVC with 48 saves for an average of 3.43 per game. He has a save percentage of .649 and a GAA of 1.79 and has collected three shutouts. UCA trails Drake in the all-time series by a 6-2-1 mark. The Bears dropped a pair of meetings with the Bulldogs last season, falling 1-0 in Conway and dropping a 2-0 decision in the first round of the MVC Tournament at SIUE.