Des Moines, Iowa - After opening up Missouri Valley Conference play with an impressive 3-0 victory over Bradley at the Bill Stephens Complex, Central Arkansas (4-4-1, 1-1-0 MVC) looked to improve to 2-0 in conference play as they traveled to West Des Moines, Iowa to face Drake (6-3-1, 1-0-1 MVC) on what was a chilly afternoon with temperatures in the mid-40s.
 
The first half got off to a fairly slow start as no shots were posted by either team in the first ten minutes. UCA's Chris Holmes would attempt a shot in the 11th minute that went high and Ole Kjoerholt would force Drake keeper Jared Brown to make his first save of the night in the 18th minute. Central Arkansas continued to knock on the door and nearly saw a goal, when header from Daltyn Knutson in the 20th minute flashed wide.
 
Drake would create an opportunity in the 28th minute when Steven Enna's strike on target forced UCA keeper Marc Olsen to make his first save of the night. After Drake's Ryan Johnston forced another save from Olsen in the 34th minute, Drake would capitalize on their next opportunity three minutes later as Leroy Enzugusi's header struck the crossbar on its way into the back of the net, giving the Bulldogs a 1-0 advantage. Enzugusi's goal would be the final shot recorded by either team in the first half.
 
Drake nearly doubled their lead in the 52nd minute following a corner kick opportunity that met the head of Steven Enna, but the header went just high.
 
From there would come multiple chances for both teams. Central Arkansas would then counter in the 56th minute as Soren Jensen's strike on target forced another save from Brown. Two minutes later, Drake's Cole Poppen forced another save from Olsen and the score still remained 1-0 through 60 minutes of play.
 
The opportunities continued as Christian Ilia's effort on goal was matched by another save from Brown in the 61st minute. Four minutes later saw arguably Drake's best chance of the second half when Steven Enna's shot was cleared off of the line by a UCA defender. The Bears continued to fight however, creating more chances throughout the remainder of the second half, including a shot on target from Niklas Brodacki in the 70th minute, again forcing a save from Brown. Brown's busy afternoon would continue in the 74^th minute, when he was called into action yet again, this time parrying an attempt from Daishi Uekuri.
 
Central Arkansas would have one final opportunity in the waning moments of the game as Jensen's effort flew just high in the 89th minute.
 
Central Arkansas would finish the game with 13 total shots and five on target, while Olsen recorded six saves. They look to bounce back in Missouri Valley Conference play next Saturday as they return home to the Bill Stephens Complex to face Evansville. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:00 PM.