Memphis, Tennessee – The Central Arkansas Bears took a break from Missouri Valley Conference play on Wednesday night, making the short drive to Memphis, Tennessee to take on regional rival Memphis at the Mike Rose Soccer Complex. A goal late in the first half would prove to be the difference-maker, as the Bears fell to the Tigers 1-0.

Central Arkansas  (6-8) and Memphis (3-7-3) traded possession throughout the early portion of the first half, with each team putting up five shots in the first 25 minutes of action. The Tigers got the first truly dangerous chance in the 29^th minute, as Charles Blankenship found himself faces with an open net and fired, but the Bears got a team save to keep the match knotted at 0-0. Each side would generate chances over the remaining 20 minutes of the half, before the Tigers found the game's only goal with just 34 seconds left on the clock, when Adam Bruce slid a pass to David Salzman, who fired to the bottom left corner to give Memphis a 1-0 lead with second goal of the season.

It looked like Central Arkansas would find an equalizer in the 57^th minute, when Donald Benamna created some space and fired a rocket past Memphis keeper Jake Leeker, but his shot ricocheted off the crossbar and wide. Jake Bates would fire a header wide off of a corner kick from Chris Holmes in the 73^rd minute, and Christian Ilia and Benmana had shots saves by Leeker in the 79^th and 83^rd minutes, but the Bears would be unable to even the match.

On the night, Central Arkansas put four of its 11 shots on goal, with Ilia, Benamna, Kyosuke Kubota, and NiklasNiklas Brodacki all putting one attempt on frame. In goal, Marc Olsen made four saves.

The Bears return to MVC play on Saturday, hosting the Valparaiso Crusaders at the Bill Stephens Complex. Prior to the match, the Bears will honor the careers of eight players who will be suiting up for their final home MVC match. Senior Day ceremonies will begin at 7:00 PM, with kickoff to follow.