Conway –
 
After a first half that saw only one shot on goal for either team, Central Arkansas (7-3-1) was able to pull away in the second half as they defeated Southland Conference opponent Abilene Christian (5-4-1) by a score of 2-1. Tonight's win gives the Bears their second conference victory of the season, improving their conference record to 2-1 while dropping Abilene Christian to 2-2 in Southland Conference play.
 


The first half saw a battle of possession, as the Bears and the Wildcats totaled just five shots. Abilene Christian would create a great opportunity early on as Christina Arteaga forced UCA's Lauren Mercuri to make a diving save, pushing the ball out for a corner kick. ACU would produce two more corners shortly after, but were unable to create any quality chances from them.
 
Central Arkansas would then produce back to back corners themselves in the 27th minute, but were also unable to create any clear-cut chances from them. The remainder of the half became of battle of possession as neither team would post a shot during the last 20 minutes. Central Arkansas saw a pair of crossing opportunities flash across the face of goal, but was unable to get on the end of any of them.
 
Unlike the first half, the second aw plenty of action. ACU would produce a chance a minute into the second half as Chelsea Reedy's shot following a corner kick was cleared off of the line by UCA's Gracie Hair. Ten minutes later, Central Arkansas would grab the lead courtesy of great combination play capped off by a left foot blast into the roof of the net from Bria Williams. Jordan Slim was able to slip Williams in from the corner of the 18 yard box and Williams did the rest, beating her defender and getting the ball onto her left foot. Central Arkansas coach Jeremy Bishop noted that the goal is something they've practiced on the training ground.
 
"It was a setup that we do with our forwards over and over again," said Bishop.
 
Central Arkansas would continue to apply high pressure to the Wildcats as the 64th minute saw Williams nearly grab her second goal of the night, striking the ball just over the crossbar. Williams would again get another crack on goal in the 70th minute on a perfectly lofted one touch through ball from Autum Schwartz put Williams in one on one with ACU keeper Erin Smith. Williams would make great contact on the half volley attempt from just inside the penalty area but Smith was able to quickly get down to her right side, making a fantastic save and denying Williams her second goal of the night.
 
Slim would join the action in the 72nd minute as she saw her first time strike from just outside the 18-yard box flash just wide of Smith's net. The 85th minute saw Central Arkansas double their advantage when Camille Bassett finished a one-on-one opportunity into the bottom left corner off a beautiful through ball from Savannah Tidd.
 
ACU would get one goal back in with just one second remaining in the game off ACU corner that fell to Lauren Mauldin to tap home from point blank range as the Bears went onto defeat the Wildcats 2-1.
 
Bishop praised his team's defensive effort after losing a key starter and is looking to grab another Southland Conference victory Sunday afternoon against Incarnate Word.
 
"Defending was really good tonight. They are a very good team and to be able to keep them scoreless for the most part was big for our group, especially since we've lost Alex now for the season and for Haylee Hulse to be able to step in was huge for us," said Bishop.
 
Central Arkansas returns to the Stephens Complex Sunday afternoon for another Southland Conference matchup against Incarnate Word. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 PM.