Conway – The Central Arkansas women's soccer team will close out regular season play at the Stephens Complex on Friday night, hosting the Northwestern State Lady Demons. The Bears, who secured the top seed in next week's Southland Conference Tournament with a win over Southeastern Louisiana on Sunday, will use the day to honor a group of five players who will be playing their final match at the Stephens: forward Camille Bassett, goalkeeper Lauren Mercuri, defender Kelsey Quick, defender Kristen Ricks, and midfielder Autum Schwartz.

"This group of seniors is very special," said UCA head coach Jeremy Bishop. "Each one of them has the work ethic, character, motivation, and drive to be successful that every coach hopes for in their athletes. They all also possess leadership skills, each in their own way, that give them the ability to influence the entire team in a positive manner."

The group, which enters tonight's matchup with Northwestern State with 47 career wins, including 30 in Southland Conference play and 24 at the Stephens Complex, is one of the most successful in the Central Arkansas Women's Soccer history. Between them, they have three Southland Conference Individual Awards, two Southland Conference Titles, two program records, four Southland Conference Tournament appearances, five All-Southland Conference Honors, 11 Southland Conference Player of the Week Honors, appear in the programs single-season record book 40 times, and in the career record book 26 times.

Bassett, from Vista, California, is one of the most successful attackers in Central Arkansas history, scoring 37 goals and adding 10 assists for a total of 84 points. The 2015 SLC Freshman and Forward of the Year and the 2016 SLC Player of the Year, she ranks in the top-ten in program history in points (2^nd – 84), goals (2^nd – 37), points per game (6^th – 1.09), goals per game (6^th – 0.48), and holds the program record for game-winning goals with 13. A three-time Southland Conference Offensive Player of the Week, she is pursuing a degree in Communication Science and Disorders with a minor in Business Administration.

"Cami is such a dangerous player," said Bishop. "Her tremendous speed, nose for the goal, and determination make her a threat to score or set up a scoring opportunity every time she touches the ball."

Mercuri, from Gig Harbor, Washington, has been a mainstay in goal for the Bears over the last four seasons, as she enters tonight's match ranked second in program history in games played by a goalie, with 67. A 2017 All-Southland Conference Honorable Mention, she is tied for the program record with 31 career wins,   and ranks third in goals against average (0.98),second in shutouts (11), third in minutes by a goalie (4,495), and fourth in saves (219) and this season is tied for the program single-season record with seven shutouts. A three-time Southland Conference Goalkeeper of the Week, she is majoring in Marketing.

"Lauren is the most consistent keeper I've had the opportunity to work with," said Bishop. "That comes from her training habits; she works extremely hard every day. But not only is she consistent with the routine save, she can also make the big save with her incredible shot-stopping reactions."

Quick, from Maize, Kansas, has emerged as one of the Southland Conference's premier center backs, playing 3,719 minutes over the course of 62 games played in her career. She has helped reinvent the UCA defense, helping the Bears hold their opponents to just 1.03 goals per game over the past four seasons. She is pursuing a degree in Physical Therapy.

"Kelsey is the definition of grit," said Bishop. "She shows us every day that if you work harder and are more determined than your opponent, then you will be successful."

Ricks, from Keller, Texas, has contributed for Central Arkansas in a way that few players have, entering tonight's match tied for the program record with 78 career starts and third with 6,424 minutes played on the Central Arkansas back line, while also sitting fourth in program history in assists. A five-time Southland Conference Defensive Player of the Week, Ricks enters the match against Northwestern State with eight assists this season, tied for fourth-most in a single season in UCA history, while earning a league-high four SLC weekly awards. A 2017 All-Southland Honorable Mention, she is pursuing a degree in Broadcast Journalism with a minor in Public Relations.

"Kris has an engine that allows her to play a very high rate of intensity over a long period of time," said Bishop. "Her ability to play box-to-box, making plays defensively while also starting the offense, is truly remarkable."

Schwartz, from Midlothian, Texas, has served as a key weapon off the bench during her time in Conway, playing 2,479 minutes while making 71 appearances for the Bears. She has scored six goals and added three assists, putting 29 of her 60 shots on target while collecting one game-winning goal. She is majoring in Innovation and Entrepreneurship, with a minor in Public Relations.

"Autum is a reliable and consistent player for us in the midfield," said Bishop. "She is strong in the air and can strike the ball as hard and as accurately as anyone on the team."

Following Senior Day Activities, the Bears will face off with the Northwestern State Lady Demons, who enter the night as one of six teams battling for the final three spots in next week's Southland Conference Tournament, where Central Arkansas has already locked down the number-one seed. Community Connections will be on hand, providing fans with face painting, inflatables, bam-bam sticks, and poms, as well as photo opportunities with Bruce D. Bear and Sugar Bear at halftime.

Kickoff is set for 7:00 PM, with pregame activities beginning at 6:00 and Senior Day commencing at 6:45 PM.