CONWAY, Ark. - The Central Arkansas Bears drew 1-1 against the Cardinals of UIW at home on April 1. The Bears, led by Coach Jeremy Bishop sit just one point from a spot in the SLC playoffs with two matches to play at home.

FIRST HALF - HARD WORK AND COMING UP BIG IN DEFENSE

While the Bears conceded the first goal of the match in the 41st minute, it was the actions of the entire team both before and after that kept the game alive for UCA. Reagan McCombs came up huge a number of times to deny UIW from putting the ball in the back of the net before being beaten from close range later on. 

As early as the sixth minute, the Bears did all the hard work to keep the Cardinals out. When Sydney Brough made a goal-line clearance with her head to after a high lofty corner to the back post was put back across goal. The Bears went into halftime with only two shots on goal by Anika Sultan and Taylor Lassiter.

SECOND HALF - STEALING THE SHOW AND STEALING A POINT

The second half was all to play for between the sides. A much needed point, if not win, by both sides. UIW started the half with the first few chances, but it quickly turned in favor of the Bears when outside back pair Gracie Hair and Morgan Rollow both began attacking more. 

Both Hair and Rollow were able to put hard high shots on frame, but the best chance came from Morgan Rollow, who fired the ball hard and high to beat the goalkeeper. Rollow was unable to beat the crossbar, as the ball fell straight down and met the head of Emma Hawkins who put force behind the shot from five yards out to level the score at one apiece.

The Bears put more and more pressure on UIW, but were unable to find the winner. As the match went into Extra Time.

EXTRA TIME - DESIRE TO GET ALL THREE POINTS

The Bears were the first to take advantage of the extra time when Laurel Landry hit a shot that was just high off a free-kick from Gracie Hair. In the end, it was the defending of Regan McCombs and the UCA defense that kept the Bears alive. As McCombs saved multiple chances, including two fingertip saves pushing the ball up over and onto the crossbar.

No one found a winner in the extra periods as the match finished 1-1.

HEAR FROM THE COACH

"I thought we played a good competitive game against a good team. We just need to keep the momentum going and playing well, especially in the second half. We are working hard and there's no quit to this group. We are looking forward to the next one," said Coach Jeremy Bishop.

HEAR FROM THE PLAYERS

"I think we have to bring the fight these next two games. This week at practice was really good and getting geared up. We are hopeful for Saturday and next Friday with both games at home. We love playing at home and in front of the home fans. We are really excited to bring the energy in the next two matches," said defender Gracie Hair.

"I thought we held our own very well against a tough team and worked as hard as we could for all 110 minutes. We didn't get the win we were looking for but it was good to at least get one point," said the goal-scorer Emma Hawkins

The Bears host ACU on Saturday, April 3, at the Bill Stephens Complex. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.