Conway – The Central Arkansas Bears will close out the home portion of the 2017 regular season with a pair of matches this weekend. Prior to Friday night's match against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, the Bears will take the time to honor the career achievements of nine seniors and one junior who will be playing their final weekend at the Bill Stephens Complex.

"This senior class has been tremendous for our program," said UCA head coach Jeremy Bishop. "This group has to be considered one of the best classes over a four-year period in the history of the program. We have players that have played in each position on the field, giving us solid play in the attack and on the defensive side of the ball. They have scored a bunch of goals, and been a big part of so many shutouts. Each of them has been a big part of the growth of the program and will be missed in the future."

During their four years in Conway, the Bears' graduating class has experienced success at a level never before seen in a four-year period, winning 34 matches overall and 19 Southland Conference matches, while helping lead the Bears to three-straight Southland Conference Tournaments and an SLC regular season championship in 2016. The Bears are currently in position to make their fourth-straight SLC Tournament appearance, which would be a program-best.

Sarah Mayorga, from North Richland Hills, Texas, has played in nine matches, totaling 170 minutes in net for the Bears while making eight saves. She will receive a degree in Communication Science and Disorders.

Anna Hughes, from League City, Texas,  has seen played 3,751 minutes over the course of 57 matches in goal for the Bears. She ranks third in program history in wins (19), fifth in total saves (192), saves per game (3.37), sixth in save percentage (768), seventh in goals against average (1.39), and is tied for fourth in shutouts (4). Hughes, who is a two-time SLC Goalkeeper of the Week award winniner,  is pursuing a degree in nursing.

Jessica Pantuso, from Thousand Oaks, California, has played 2,173 minutes over 59 matches in the UCA midfield, scoring one goal and assisting on two others while putting seven of her 16 shots on goal. She will receive a degree in biology.

Avery Taylor, from Conway, Arkansas, has played 491 minutes over 31 matches. She has scored twice and has one assist while putting three of her five shots on goal. She will receive a degree in Environmental Science Planning and Administration.

Dayna Mounie, from Foothill Ranch, California, has played 3,744 minutes in 71 matches for the Bears. A 2016 All-Southland Conference second team selection, she has scored 17 times and had eight assists while putting 61 of 114 attempts on target. She ranks in the top ten in program history in points (10^th, 42), points per game (10^th, 0.59), goals (9^th, 17), assists (t-10^th, 8), shots on goal (7^th, 61), and games played (t-10^th, 71). Mounie, who was named SLC Offensive Player of the Week on October 11^th, 2016, is pursuing a degree in Nutrition.

Karly Kliever, from Humble, Texas, has played 3,301 minutes over the course of 68 matches on the Central Arkansas back line. She has one career assist and has put three of six shots on goal . She will receive a degree in Special Education.

Alex Moore, from Yukon, Oklahoma, has played 4,496 minutes and 72 matches in the Central Arkansas midfield, scoring 11 goals and adding 18 assists while placing 43 of her 80 shots on goal. She ranks in the top ten in program history in assists (3^rd, 18),assists per game (t-3^rd, 0.25), game-winning goals (t-5^th, 6), and games played (9^th, 72). The SLC Offensive Player of the Week for September 2^nd, 2014, Moore is pursuing a degree in Nursing.

Stacia Carroll, from South Jordan, Utah, has seen action in 71 matches, tallying 6,217 minutes on the UCA back line. A two-time All-SLC selection, having earned honorable mention status in 2015 and second-team honors in 2016, she has scored three goals and assisted on three other while placing 10 of her 27 shots on goal. A five-time Southland Conference Defensive Player of the Week, Carroll ranks in the top ten in program history in games played (t-10^th, 71), games started (t-4^th,70), and  minutes played (2^nd, 6,217). She will receive a degree in Health Science-Physical Therapy.

MaKayla Wilson, from Springdale, Arkansas, has played 1,730 minutes over the course of 49 matches, assisting on two goals while putting four of eight shots on target. She is pursuing a degree in Health Services Administration.

Ashley Smith, from Plano, Texas, will graduate after just three years in Conway, having played 2,784 minutes in 52 matches. A 2016 All-Southland First Team honoree, Smith has scored 18 times and added 13 assists, while putting 51 of 97 shots on goal. Named the Southland's Offensive Player of the Week on October 25^th, 2016, she ranks in the top ten in program history in points (8^th, 49), points per game (8^th, 0.94),  goals (t-7^th, 18), goals per game (8^th, 0.35), game-winning goals (t-5^th, 6), assists (7^th, 13), and assists per game (t-3^rd, 0.25). She will receive a degree in Management.
 

Following Senior Day activities, the Bears will face off  with the Islanders, who enter the match with a record of 4-6-2 overall and 1-4-1 in SLC play. The Islanders, who average 0.92 goals per game, are led by a trio of players (Kaitlyn Joy, Kayla Gove, and Katie Lawrence) who have each scored twice on the year. Defensively, TAMUCC is allowing 1.25 goals per game, thanks in part to the play of Jordan Wainwright and Abbie Flax, who have both seen time in net.

"Corpus is a much improved team from a year ago," said Bishop. "They are limiting opponent's scoring chances because of their organization behind the ball. We will have to do a great job moving the ball and transitioning into our attack quickly. We are looking forward to a great night of honoring our seniors and staying in the hunt for another Southland championship.

Kickoff for the match is set for 7:00 PM, with senior day activities set for 6:45 PM.