CONWAY, Ark. – Turning around after a 0-0 draw to open the season, the Central Arkansas women's soccer team returns to the road to take on in-state foe Arkansas State on Sunday. With the Red Wolves dropping their season opener, both sides will be looking for win number one on the year. Kick off in Jonesboro is set for 4 p.m.
 
The Bears, opening their season a few days ago on Thursday, just didn't quite have enough to pull off the win against Missouri State. Central Arkansas had opportunities early in the match, with a couple of shots from freshmen Lea Duus Madsen and Rylee Ellis, but the defenses proved to be in midseason form for both sides. Missouri State almost took advantage of some set pieces, but the Bears from Conway held on with some incredible saves to keep the game scoreless. Towards the end of the match, Tristyn Pavatt almost broke the stalemate with just minutes left in regulation, but her shot fell just to the side of the post.
 
Drawing against Missouri State marked the first time since March of the 2020-21 season that Central Arkansas ended a match in a draw. The Bears saw every match last season decided before the final whistle of overtimes, going 2-3 in extra periods last year, all decided by golden goals.
 
The draw also keeps head coach Jeremy Bishop at 99 wins at Central Arkansas. Now in his 11^th season, Bishop is the all-time winningest head coach in Bears history, and his first win this season will mark his 100^th win at Central Arkansas.
 
Central Arkansas and Arkansas State have developed quite the series, playing every season since 2011. Currently, the Red Wolves hold a 7-5 advantage over the Bears after winning last season's matchup with a 1-0 score. Super-seniors Gracie Hair and Taylor Webb will play A-State for the sixth time in their careers. The pair is currently 2-3 against Arkansas State, with wins in 2018 and 2020-21.
 
The Red Wolves didn't open their season like they wanted to either, dropping a 1-0 decision to Pine Bluff on Thursday. Despite outshooting the Golden Lions 27-3, Arkansas State struggled putting shots past the Pine Bluff keeper. After a scoreless first half, the Golden Lions snuck one past in the 62^nd minute, putting home the lone goal of the match.
 
Arkansas State begins the 2022 campaign after a 10-6-2 record last year, losing three of its first five matches before going 9-3-1 the rest of the way, falling in the first round of the Sun Belt Conference Championship. Last season's run was the fifth time in school history that the club won 10 or more matches in a season.
 
Returning from last season's squad is Preseason All-Sun Belt member Aliyah Williamson, who recorded seven goals and an assist as a freshman last year. Also returning to the lineup is All-Sun Belt Second Team forward Emma Riley, who logged four goals and two helpers.
 
Head coach of the Red Wolves is Brian Dooley, now in his seventh season at the helm. He entered the season with 249 career wins, including 57 at A-State.
 
First touch against the Red Wolves is set for 4 p.m. in Jonesboro, Ark. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+, with live stats available here.