Monroe, Louisiana – The Central Arkansas women's soccer team returned to action on Sunday afternoon, taking on Louisiana-Monroe. The Bears continued the first half success they've had all season long, getting a pair of first half goals to take down the Warhawks 2-0.

UCA (4-2-0) wasted little time in getting on the board, taking the lead in just the fifth minute. Dayna Mounie forced a ULM turnover and fed Camille Bassett, who finished back post to put the Bears up 1-0.

"We came out and played a really good first half," said UCA head coach Jeremy Bishop. "We put them under pressure and created good scoring chances. Dayna did a good job of pressuring and found Cami, who beat the keeper to the back post."

The Bears would add to their lead off the counter attack in the 42^nd minute. Jordan Slim intercepted a ULM (2-3-1) corner kick and slid the ball to Anslea Haikey, who began the break. Upon reaching the other end of the field, Haikey slipped a pass to Ashley Smith, who added the insurance goal to make it 2-0 UCA.

"Late in the half ULM had a corner and Jordan did a great job of getting the ball. She immediately found Anslea, who worked back up the field probably eighty yards. Carlee Spears and Ashley were running with her the whole way, and she got it over to Ashley for the finish. We got two quality goals today and they both came from effort and hard work," said Bishop.

For the third straight game, Central Arkansas limited its opponent to just three shots on goal as the Bears picked up their fourth shutout of the season.

"We're doing a really good job of limiting other teams' opportunities," said Bishop of the Bears' defensive efforts. "Stacia Carroll is doing a really good job of disrupting the opposing team, and Kristen Ricks, MaKayla Wilson, Allie Moroney, and Karly Kliever are really doing a good job of defending as well. Along with Kelsey Quick, who's been getting some effective minutes there, they're all doing a really good job of keeping things compact."

In goal for the Bears, Anna Hughes and Lauren Mercuri combined for the clean sheet, their fourth of the season.

"Anna didn't have much to do in the first half," said Bishop. "Lauren had a bit more action in the second half and made the saves. Both have been really steady this season, I think we've allowed five goals in six games. So if we can keep our opponents under a goal per game, I think we'll have a lot of success."

Central Arkansas returns to action with a pair of matches next weekend. On Friday night, the Bears will play host to Big 12 opponent Kansas State at 6:00 PM at the Stephens, before heading to Springfield, Missouri to battle Missouri State at 1:00 PM on Sunday