CONWAY, ARK.  – Tonight capped off a very tough pre-conference schedule for Central Arkansas women's soccer. UCA faced a Memphis squad ranked 14th in the country coming into tonight and though they ultimately fell 2-0, the Bears showed tons of promise as they gear up to defend their 2018 Southland Conference title. 
 
First Half
 

• UCA got to a flying start and nearly scored a goal in the first two minutes of the match. Connie Awuku-Darkoh found herself in a footrace with Memphis keeper Elizabeth Moberg and was just a fraction late from rounding the keeper off. 
• Memphis would take the lead in the 7th minute following a corner kick strike that flew directly into the back of the net, just over the outstretched hands of UCA keeper Reagan McCombs.
• The Bears continued to create chances as Abby Gibson and Lauren Hargus each had shooting opportunities in the 12th and 14th minutes that flew just off target. 
• Hadley Dickinson arguably had the best chance in the first half for the Bears in the 28th minute when she found herself in a great position at the top of the 18 yard box, striking the ball just over the crossbar. 
• McCombs ended the first half with a big save for the Bears, denying Memphis from doubling their advantage on a strike that was headed towards the top corner. 

 
Second Half
 

• The 51st minute half saw Memphis double their advantage on a strike that was just outside the reach of McCombs as it headed into the bottom left corner. 
• Gracie Hair would get into the action for the Bears, forcing another save from Memphis keeper Moberg on a well-hit strike down the middle. 
• McCombs came up big for the Bears in the 83rd minute on a spectacular double save from point blank range. It was her fourth and fifth saves of seven on the night. 
• The last scoring opportunity of the match came from Memphis in the 88th minute when Marissa Larisey forced yet another save from McCombs, who quickly dove down to her right side to keep it out. 

 
Coach Bishop Quotes
 
"I'm very pleased with the effort tonight and to go out and compete with a team like this; hopefully it builds confidence in our group heading into conference play. I think we're going to be in the mix to win conference again and I think the non-conference schedule was exactly what we needed to show what we needed to get better at and I think that we've done a good job progressing."
 
On Deck
 
The Bears open up Conference play this Saturday as they take on Sam Houston State in Huntsville, Texas. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 PM.