NACOGDOCHES, Texas. - The Central Arkansas Bears fell 3-0 to the Lumberjacks of SFA on Friday, Feb. 12, in their first conference match of the season.

The Bears brought back four players that missed the last match against ORU for the conference opener, including Anika Sultan and Hadley Dickinson.

FIRST HALF - ICE HEARTED & MINIMUM CHANCES

The first conference match of the season began in very cold weather and had slow movement from both sides. The first true chance of the match did not come until midway through the half. Gracie Hair had the best chance for the Bears of the half in the 32nd minute when she fired it just high of the bar.

SFA opened the scoring in the 37th minute after a failed clearance allowed the Lumberjacks to set their feet and shoot. Taylor Lassiter had a late chance that took a deflection and forced the shot wide.

SECOND HALF - COLD FEET & MISSED CHANCES

The Bears started the second half fast, but were unable to take advantage. SFA doubled their lead in the 49th minute after the Bears were unable to clear the ball. Zoe Van de Cloot and Taylor Lassiter had two strong chances midway through the second half, but couldn't put the ball in the back of the net.

The Bears went 68 minutes without fouling SFA. Multiple Bears missed chances to cut the lead, but were just a bit unlucky. SFA was able to make it 3-0 in the 87th minute.

HEAR FROM THE COACH

"Give SFA credit, they were the aggressor tonight. They put us on our heels a bit. In the end, it was a competitive match that felt like it could have gone either way but,  they made good on their chances and we didn't. We'll get back to Conway and back to work," Head Coach Jeremy Bishop said.
 

The Bears continue their away trips with a match on Friday, Feb. 19 at Houston Baptist in Houston, Texas.