CONWAY, Ark. – In what could perhaps be a preview of the ASUN Championship game, the Central Arkansas men's soccer team fell to Lipscomb Saturday afternoon, dropping a 3-0 decision. Lowlighted by an inability to produce meaningful offense, the Bears just couldn't keep up with the Bisons.
 
The loss drops the Bears to 4-4-1 on the year, with a 3-1 record in conference play. After giving up a pair of goals in the first half, Central Arkansas couldn't find a way to get back into the match, surrendering its first conference loss of the season.
 
Sohma Ichikawa nearly got the first score of the game in the 12^th minute, but his shot got blocked before it reached the keeper. Countering, Lipscomb got the scoring started in the 20^th minute, earning a penalty kick and finishing the attempt. Pressing forward with momentum, the Bisons added a second goal in the 23^rd, taking a 2-0 lead in the early goings of the match.
 
Trying to recover, the Bears struggled to put together much offense. Each time it seemed like Central Arkansas would start to gain control of a possession, a bad touch or a short pass would allow the Bisons to recover.
 
The second half didn't fare much better for Central Arkansas, who lost a player to a red card in the 60^th minute. Playing from behind and down a man, the Bears couldn't get out of their funk as the clock ran out.
 
Central Arkansas takes the field again on Tuesday, playing a nonconference match against Oral Roberts. Kickoff against the Golden Eagles is set for 6 p.m.