CONWAY, Ark. – On the road for a rematch of last season's ASUN Championship, the Central Arkansas men's soccer team heads to Nashville, Tenn., to take on Lipscomb on Saturday. The Bears play their first away game of the conference season against the Bisons, kicking off at 4 p.m.
 
Last week's match was a much-needed offensive explosion for the Bears (2-4-2, 1-0-1 ASUN), who downed Queens 6-2 at home. Pietro Fontana was named the ASUN Player of the Week after tying the Bears' single-game record with four goals in the match, scoring two goals in the first half before adding two more in the second. It boosted Fontana's goal total to seven, and made him the only player in Division I to score four times in a single match this season.
 
But reading between the lines of the numbers from the Queens game, the Bears are hoping that the rout of the Royals can become more of the norm. While the offense has been struggling, Connor Wachtel and a solid back line has been one of the best in the conference, allowing only 1.30 goals per 90 minutes. Central Arkansas has only allowed more than two goals once this season, but likewise, has only scored more than two goals once this season. After a grueling nonconference slate, the experience of facing NCAA tournament caliber teams should carry over into ASUN matches.
 
Lipscomb hosts the Bears with a 3-2-3 overall record after starting the conference season 2-0. The Bisons also played a nonconference game this past Tuesday, giving up a late goal to finish with a 3-3 tie against Georgia State. After leading 3-1 with under 20 minutes remaining, two scores deep into the match, including with nine and a half minutes, the Bisons were able to hold on against a talented Panthers team.
 
Tyrese Spicer scored the first goal of the match for Lipscomb, increasing his season total to eight goals. The senior forward has a goal in every game this season, with a brace in the loss to Kentucky earlier this season. But Lipscomb has not only had to rely on Spicer's activity up top, nine other Bisons have goals this year. The Bisons also have the two leaders in assists this year, in Malachi Jones and Ploutarchos Alonefti, each with seven helpers already.
 
Defensively, Lipscomb has allowed at least one goal in all eight matches this season, with three total goals coming in the first two ASUN matches. Goalkeeper Juan Carlos Rodriguez holds a 2.38 goals allowed average, and has a save rate of 52.5 percent.
 
The match against Lipscomb is set for 4 p.m. on Saturday, and will be streamed on ESPN+. Live stats will also be available online.