Conway – The Central Arkansas women's soccer team takes to the pitch this evening in what looks to be a key match in the 2016 season. The Bears, who currently sit in second place in the Southland Conference standings, travel to Nacogdoches, Texas to battle the Stephen F. Austin Ladyjacks, who are currently two points ahead of the Bears in sole possession of the top spot. Kickoff between the league's two remaining unbeaten teams is set for 7:00 PM tonight.

Central Arkansas (9-3-1, 4-0-1 SLC) is coming off a 1-0-1 week at the Bill Stephens Complex, defeating Incarnate Word 5-0 and tying Abilene Christian 0-0 in double overtime. Up to this point, the Bears have been dominant on both sides of the ball, leading the Southland in goals (29), points (84), goals allowed (8), goals against average (0.60), and shutouts (8). Individually, the Bears are led by sophomore Camille Bassett, who earned Southland Conference Offensive Player of the Week and NCAA Women's Soccer Player of the Week honors after three goals and an assist last week. On the year, Bassett leads the Southland in shots (49), shots per game (4.45), goals (8), and game-winning goals (3), while ranking second in points (19), third in points per game (1.73), and tying for tenth in assists (3). Sophomore Ashley Smith also peppers the conference rankings, sitting third in goals (7), fourth in points (17), fifth in points per game (1.31), and tying for tenth in assists (3). Defensively, junior Stacia Carroll and sophomore Kristen Ricks anchor a back line that has limited opponents to just 0.60 goals and 4.8 shots on goal per game. In goal, the Bears utilize a platoon that features two of the strongest keepers in the league, in junior Anna Hughes and sophomore Lauren Mercuri. Hughes leads the Southland in goals against average (0.31) and save percentage (.909), while Mercuri sits third in both categories with an 0.89 GAA and an .850 save percentage.

Winners of the last five Southland Conference regular season championships, SFA (8-2-0, 5-0-0 SLC) picked up a pair of wins at home last weekend, defeating Lamar 1-0 and taking down McNeese 2-0. The Ladyjacks are allowing their opponents to score 1.18 goals per game so far this season, while scoring 2.20 per game themselves. Senior Hannah Barker leads the way for the 'Jacks, sitting at the top of the league in total points (20), points per game (2.00), and assists per game (0.60) behind six goals and seven assists this season. In goal, senior Lillie Ehlert ranks second in the Southland in shutouts (5), fourth in GAA (0.91), fifth in save percentage (.826), and ninth in saves (38).

Central Arkansas opened the all-time series with the Ladyjacks with a win in 2006, taking a 1-0 win in Conway, but SFA holds a 7-1-2 edge overall. Last season, the teams met at the Stephens and played to a 1-1 draw.