Springfield, Missouri – The Central Arkansas women's soccer team returned to action on Sunday afternoon looking for their fifth straight shutout against the Missouri State Bears. The quest would prove unsuccessful, however, as the purple Bears fell to the maroon Bears by a final score of 1-0.

Neither side was able to generate much offense in the first half, as the teams combined for just seven shot, with just three being placed on target.

Central Arkansas (5-3-0) turned up the pressure in the early part of the second half, getting shots on goal from junior Dayna Mounie and senior Chele Naudin in the first three minutes. Sophomore Camille Bassett and Mounie each added a shot on goal over the next 10 minutes of play, before junior Alex Moore rounded out the first 15 minutes of the second half with a shot on goal of her own.

After senior Allie Coleman put a shot on target in the 79^th minute, Missouri State (2-4-0) took advantage of its best chance of the day. Kassie Flynn launched a throw-in into the box, where Brook Zimmerman won a battle with sophomore Kelsey Quick and put the maroon Bears up 1-0 with her first goal of the season. The goal was the first that Central Arkansas had allowed in 465:20.

"It's been a really run being able to keep our opponents down and get the shutouts," said UCA head coach Jeremy Bishop. "Just the sheer amount of time we went without giving up a goal is a huge testament to our group. They've done a great job at limiting chance and working hard to keep below the ball, and today was no different. We're still defending well, still working hard, and still doing the things we need to be doing.

Bassett had a chance at an equalizer in the 85^th minute, but MSU's Evan Stamp made the save.

"It was similar to the last game in that we had more of the ball and created good chances," said Bishop. "At the end of the day, they got their chance in the net and we didn't. I think we didn't come out with the same focus that we've have the last few games, so we'll have to get that fixed before we start conference play next weekend."

On the day, Central Arkansas got three shots on goal from Bassett, while Moore and Mounie each put two shots on target. Coleman and Naudin each added a single shot on goal. Anna Hughes played the first half in goal for the Bears, stopping the only shot on goal she faced, while Lauren Mercuri made a pair of saves in the second half.

Central Arkansas opens Southland Conference play on Friday night, welcoming Sam Houston State to the Bill Stephens Soccer Complex for a rematch of last season's SLC Tournament first-round match. Kickoff is set for 7:00 PM.

"After the game we talked about making sure to learn from what we've done so far, and realizing that this is when the season really starts to count," said Bishop. "We've done the things we need to do to have a good season up to this point, so we just have to keep doing those things."