CONWAY, Ark. – Taking a break from conference play, the Bears host Oral Roberts for a midweek match on Tuesday. Kicking off at 6 p.m., the Bears and Golden Eagles will face off for the fourth time since 2021, this one being played at the Bill Stephens Track and Soccer Complex.
 
Central Arkansas (4-4-1, 3-1 ASUN) starts the week after dropping its first ASUN game of the season, falling 3-0 to Lipscomb on Saturday. Despite the loss, the Bears only drop to second place in the conference standings, having already played the other two top teams in the league.
 
With six matches left on the schedule for the regular season, the Bears are led in scoring by Sebastian Andreassen and Jerry Gutierrez, both with three goals to their ledgers. Beyond them, six other Bears have scored, with three scoring twice on the year. In goal, Zach Schawl has played all but 64 minutes, recording a 1.69 goals allowed average while making 23 saves.
 
 The Bears and Golden Eagles played three times in the calendar year of 2021, with Oral Roberts claiming two wins during that stretch. The games between these two clubs are always competitive, with both teams usually boasting strong rosters and impressive records. Last season, both squads fell in the championship stages of their respective conference tournaments.
 
Oral Roberts visits Conway with a 5-3-1 overall record, with a 1-1 record in the Summit League. Last time out, the Golden Eagles downed Lindenwood 3-1 on Wednesday. Tallying two quick scores to start the game, ORU never looked back, equaling Lindenwood's goal in the second half with final score in the 72^nd minute to ice it.
 
Similar to the Bears, ORU's goal differential is minimal, with the Golden Eagles scoring and allowing 13 goals, albeit shooting almost 40 times fewer than their opponents. Where Oral Roberts has staked its claim, however, is its ability to put nearly 50 percent of its shots on goal, compared to 41 percent by opponents.
 
The Golden Eagles' top scorer is Carlos Santamaria, a sophomore midfielder who has four scores this year. Outside of Santamaria, nine other players have scored a single goal, speaking to the number of players that have been put in scoring opportunities this season. Jeremy Coste has played all 810 minutes between the posts, earning a 1.44 goals allowed average with a pair of shutouts to his name.
 
Tuesday's match is also a part of SAAC's food drive, supporting the Bear Essentials Food Pantry. This game, fans are asked to bring canned tuna, chicken and other canned meat.
 
Kickoff against the Golden Eagles is set for 6 p.m. on Tuesday at the Bill Stephens Track and Soccer Complex. The match will be streamed on ESPN+, with live stats available here.