CONWAY, Ark. – After moving the match to Wednesday to avoid excessive heat levels, the Central Arkansas women's soccer team prepares to take on Missouri State a day sooner. Kicking off at 8 p.m., the Bears play their first match at home in the 2023 season, after playing the first two matches on the road.
 
Central Arkansas (0-2) is looking to bounce back after a tough start to the year, hoping to recapture some momentum in front of friendly fans. Last time out, Lea Duus Madsen scored her first career goal, finishing off a free kick from Gabby Theis and Emily Wissel-Littmann. The sophomore forward played 43 minutes against the Bobcats, scoring in the 70^th minute.
 
Duus Madsen is one of two Bears to score this season, with Kelly Van Gundy netting a PK in the first game. Van Gundy's goal was her fourth, also marking a third-straight season that the midfielder has scored in a match.
 
As the Bears prepare for Missouri State, a look back at the last few matches shows a 2-0-1 record in the last three battles. Last season, a 0-0 final score in the season opener was the first of four clean sheets for the Bears. The Bears played 24 deep, including the first action in Purple and Gray for eight players; the squad returns 16 from last season's team that played against the Bears from Springfield. Prior to last season, Central Arkansas claimed both matches in the 2020 season, playing a home-and-home and outscoring Missouri State 4-1. Fifth-year Sydney Brough scored the game-winner in the first match of that season, slamming one home in the 75^th minute.
 
Missouri State (2-0) enters the week after winning both of its first games, winning at SIUE 2-0 before defending home turf with a 2-1 win over Oklahoma State. Against the Cougars, the Bears scored right before half to take the lead before the break, then finished it off with another goal in the 77^th. Notably, SIUE was held to just a single shot, compared to 16 by the Bears.
 
Then against Oklahoma State, the Bears took a 2-0 lead, scoring 10 minutes into the match and then scored again in the 66^th. The Cowgirls trimmed the lead in the 78^th minute, but it was too little, too late. Goalkeeper Camielle Day made a miraculous save in the first half, stopping a penalty kick in the 40^th minute to send the Bears into the half up 1-0.
 
Wednesday's game is set for 8 p.m. on Wednesday, in an effort to limit the effect of the heat on student-athletes. The game will be streamed on ESPN+, with live stats available online.