CONWAY, Ark. – The Central Arkansas women's soccer team remains in Kentucky for its next outing, battling Eastern Kentucky University on Sunday. A noon kickoff, Sunday's match against the Colonels marks the second ASUN match for the Bears, with both occurring on the road thus far in the schedule.
 
After pulling out a draw against Bellarmine on Thursday, Central Arkansas enters Sunday with a 2-4-2 record, currently sitting 0-0-1 in the ASUN. After surrendering a first-half goal that put the Bears behind the eight ball, Gracie Hair opened the second half with an equalizer just 35 seconds into the new half. And though the Bears were the more aggressive team in the second frame, the sixth-year goalkeeper of Bellarmine did just enough to keep the game level through the final whistle.
 
Hair's goal makes her the sixth Bear to score on the season, with all six scorers tallying one apiece as the team starts conference play. It also marked Hair's tenth-career goal, and the fifth season in which the Tulsa, Okla., native has scored.
 
The defense held firm against Bellarmine, allowing just five shots on goal from the Knights. Freshman goalkeeper Lenja Kenstel came in for the second half and lowered her goals-against-average to below one, recording three saves in her third-straight appearance allowing no goals.
 
Last season, the Bears and Colonels competed in Conway, dueling to a 2-1 Central Arkansas win. After giving up two goals in the first 12 minutes, EKU narrowed the deficit to a single goal in the 37^th minute, but couldn't find a second goal to equalize. Despite getting outshot 11-5, Central Arkansas hung on, keeping the Colonels without a shot for the final 21 minutes and 32 seconds.
 
Sunday's match marks the sixth road match of the season for Central Arkansas, who has played at home just three times. After Sunday's match, the Bears will play five of their final eight matches at home.
 
Hosting the Bears on Sunday, EKU enters the weekend with a 4-2-1 record, having tied its ASUN opener against North Alabama. Playing nearly even the entire way, the Colonels and Lions both took 14 shots, with North Alabama putting seven on goal, compared to EKU's six. But defense would reign the day; despite six combined shots coming in the final five minutes, none found the back of the net.
 
The Colonels find themselves in the final leg of a six-match home streak, during which the team has gone 3-0-1 with a no-contest against Akron after inclement weather ended that match early.
 
EKU's offense has seen the same variety that Central Arkansas' has this season, with seven Colonels scoring thus far in the season. Myla Sharpless and Maddy Lemery have both notched two scores, with the other five recording one goal apiece. Between the posts, Lauren Seedlock has allowed nine goals, tallying 38 saves and notching a pair of shutouts.
 
Kickoff against the Colonels is slated for 12 p.m. in Richmond, Ky. Sunday's match will be streamed on ESPN+, with live stats available here.