CONWAY, Ark. – Looking to get back in the saddle, the Central Arkansas men's soccer team hosts Stetson in an ASUN match on Saturday. Kicking off at 7 p.m., the Bears seek a result as the conference season winds down toward the ASUN Championships.
 
As the season winds down, the Bears (2-7-2, 1-2-1 ASUN) are looking to change their fortunes after Tuesday's loss at Saint Louis. Facing yet another team that has been flirting with the top-25, the Billikens used early offense to throw Central Arkansas for a loop, creating a gap that couldn't be overcome. Pietro Fontana scored his ninth goal of the season, but the sophomore's lone score wasn't enough against Saint Louis.
 
The hope is that the strength of schedule has hardened Central Arkansas for a late season push, with just four matches left in the regular season. The Bears also need a push in ASUN matches, hoping to set themselves up for a move up the standings for the postseason. Six of the eight Atlantic Sun programs make the conference tournament, and Central Arkansas currently occupies the sixth and final spot.
 
Stetson (5-4-3, 2-1-1 ASUN) sits three points ahead of the Bears, just a single win better in the standings, but three spots up the ladder. The Hatters have two wins to show in conference this season, over North Florida and Queens. Their most recent ASUN match was against the Royals, and Stetson took that result 3-0 after a dominant showing from Luis Lara. The senior forward was responsible for two scores and assisted on the third, playing a hand in all three goals against the Royals.
 
Lara has seven goals this season, one of four Hatters with multiple goals this season. Andres Mata has five scores to his name, making one of two pairs of five-plus goal scorers in the ASUN this season. In goal, Nicolo Radelli has played in 11 of the 12 matches, including all five conference matches, holding a 1.49 goals-against average with 33 saves. With all five wins to his name, he has three solo shutouts and one combined clean sheet.
 
Kickoff against the Hatters is set for 7 p.m. on Saturday at the Bill Stephens Track and Soccer Complex. Due to overlap with the football Bears, the game will be streamed on the Bear Nation Network, and as always, live stats will be available online.