Nacogdoches, Texas – The Central Arkansas women's soccer team took to the field in Nacogdoches, Texas on Friday evening for a match-up of the two remaining unbeaten teams in the Southland Conference. The Bears emerged victorious on the day, taking down the Stephen F. Austin Ladyjacks 2-1 to move into first place in the Southland Conference with their first win in the series since 2006.

Central Arkansas (10-3-1, 5-0-1 SLC) got the game's first chance, as sophomore Camille Bassett put a shot on goal in the 15^th minute, but the Bears would find themselves trailing at the half for just the first time this season thanks to an SFA (8-3-0, 5-1-0 SLC) goal from Amanda Doyle in the 24^th minute.  At the half, the Bears had managed just one shot on goal.

"It could have been killer to give up a goal in a game that you come out so ready for," said UCA head coach Jeremy Bishop. "They came out with a lot of energy, and we responded well. But it's not in our mentality to give up; we just grabbed the ball from the net, went to midfield, and were ready to go again. We had a great talk at the half about some things that we need to adjust, and the girls executed it so well. That's what's great about this team, there was never a time that I thought they looked defeated."

Central Arkansas dominated the second half, limiting the Ladyjacks to just two shots in the final 45 minutes, neither on goal, while taking seven shots and putting four on frame. The Bears got the equalizer in the 73^rd minute, as junior Alex Moore fired a cross into the box for fellow junior Dayna Mounie, who headed it home to knot the match at 1-1 with her fifth goal of the year.

"Alex was battling in the corner, came out with it, and hit a great serve into the box," said Bishop. "Dayna was pushed up on the back line, which is something we've been trying to do all season long, she beat her defender and got a good header on it."

With the clock winding down and the match looking to be headed to overtime, Mounie picked up third assist of the season, playing a ball into the box for Bassett, who headed it inside the back post to put the Bears up 2-1 with her league-leading ninth goal of the season.

"Dayna got ahold of it, cut inside at about 30 yards out, played it into Cami, and she just flicked it to the back post to beat the keeper," said Bishop. "The whole second half was us in control, putting them under a lot of pressure, so it was only a matter of time before the goals started going in, and luckily they did."

With the win, the Bears break a 10-year drought against the Ladyjacks and take over possession of first place in the Southland Conference at the halfway mark of the season.

"They're a great team," said Bishop of the Ladyjacks. "They're the program that everybody has been trying to catch for ten years, it seems like, so to be able to put ourselves in first place by beating them at their place, it's just great for our program. It's huge because now we can control our own destiny; we don't have to hope that somebody else loses or ties like we have the past couple of years. As long as we handle our business, we'll have a chance to win the league, which is obviously a goal for us. There are a lot of games left, though, so we'll have to continue to put together games like tonight. We've got a long road trip next weekend, going to Houston and Corpus Christi, and then we've got three tough games at home."

The Bears have Sunday off, but will return to the road for a pair of matches next weekend. Central Arkansas will take on Houston Baptist at 7:00 PM on Friday night, before battling Texas A&M-Corpus Christi at 1:00 PM next Sunday.

Bishop is looking forward to the off day on Sunday, saying, "It's huge to have that break. The way the schedule is set up to have the one game weekend right in the middle of the season is good for everybody. We'll get the girls home, get them rested, then start getting ready for next weekend's road trip."