CONWAY, Ark. – Also headed to Stillwater, Okla., the Central Arkansas women's soccer team prepares to take on the Oklahoma State Cowgirls. In the midst of a tough nonconference stretch, the Bears and Cowgirls kick off at 1 p.m. at Neal Patterson Stadium.
 
The Bears (0-3-2) captured a 0-0 draw last time out, playing 90 minutes to reach a scoreless draw against Little Rock in the opening event of the Governor's I-40 Showdown. Despite the lack of scoring, the Bears had one of the most complete performances of the season, with Kajsa Pruner and the defense locking down the defensive side as Trace Pavatt, Anna Kerr and the offense created a half dozen quality scoring opportunities. Especially late in the match, the Bears seemed to have a gear that the Trojans didn't, but the ball couldn't find the back of the net.
 
But Central Arkansas is trending in the right direction as the young players find their way in head coach Jeremy Bishop's system. Megan Moudy has started all five matches, and ranks second on the team with three points. Caroline Billings has been an important piece off the bench, providing size  atop the formation and showing potential as a future scorer.
 
On the back line, Pruner has been extremely solid in goal the last two matches, allowing zero goals across her last 135 minutes in the net. The junior goalkeeper made a season-best six saves against the Trojans, earning her first clean sheet of the season.
 
Oklahoma State (4-1) hosts the Bears after downing Texas State 3-0 in San Marcos. With the result, the Cowgirls have outscored their opponents 19-2, with both of the goals allowed coming in their lone loss to Missouri State. Against the Bobcats, Hannah Chance scored her seventh goal of the season in the 13^th minute, giving her team a lead it would never surrender. Before the 25^th minute had passed, Oklahoma State would score all three goals, getting back-to-back scores 70 seconds apart in the 23^rd and 24^th.
 
Chance has scored in four of the five matches this season, with multiple goals in two games. She scored twice in the 3-0 win over Florida Atlantic, and followed up that performance with a hat trick in the 8-0 win against Little Rock. The junior forward is making a splash early in the season after missing all of last year due to injury.
 
Sunday's match is set for a 1 p.m. kickoff in Stillwater, with the match being broadcast on ESPN+. Fans can also keep up with the live stats, which are available online.