CONWAY, Ark. - The Central Arkansas men's soccer team took on the Blazers from UAB in their season opener on Saturday. The Bears fell to the Blazers, 3-2.

It was a slow start for the Bears who conceded in the 8th minute when the Blazers fired a low cross towards the back post which was pushed in by an unmarked man. Central Arkansas equalized from a penalty scored by Soren Jensen after the Blazer goalkeeper took down Katsu Kimishima. The cards came out as four UAB players were booked and one Central Arkansas player was booked in the first half.

The Bears took a 2-1 lead early in the second half with a goal in the 53rd minute after Rubyn Gill played a looping ball towards Alexsi Morel. Morel slid a through ball to Edoardo Calzola who slotted home the goal. As the match went on chances came and went for both teams, until the Bears conceded a handball in the 61st minute, leading to a penalty kick for the Blazers, making the game 2-2. As time went on, Central Arkansas got a bulk of the chances including two goal-line clearances by the Blazers.

The match finished regular time with a 2-2 scoreline. The match went into extra time, which was controlled by the Bears, until a counter attack by the Blazers got the Bears out of position. A low cross was sent in from the right side before the Blazers tucked away the game winning goal in the 95th minute.

"We are a completely different team from last season. We were looking for better execution in key moments. We had so many chances to win that game," said Head Coach Ross Duncan. "We had a big rotation, so it was a young team. I think we will see a lot of different looks this year."

The Bears travel to Lexington,Kentucky on Friday, Oct. 2, for a matchup with the Wildcats and is set for a 3 p.m. kickoff.