CONWAY, Ark. – The Central Arkansas women's soccer team is back at home after three-straight on the road, hosting Eastern Kentucky on Thursday. Looking to stay unbeaten in ASUN play, the Bears will kickoff against the Colonels at 7 p.m. at the Bill Stephens Track and Soccer Complex.
 
The Bears (4-5-1, 3-0-1 ASUN) added a point in the ASUN standings last time out, picking up a 2-2 draw against Austin Peay on Sunday. After trailing 1-0 at the half, goals from Brianna Lopez and Kayla Hurley got Central Arkansas back into it, and the teams stayed even through the final whistle for the tie.
 
Central Arkansas is the lone undefeated team in the ASUN, and sit atop the table with ten points. EKU is second in the ASUN, holding a 3-1 league record. Kelly Van Gundy, who scored in the three conference wins, is tied for league-leader with her three scores.
 
But the Bears haven't just relied on Van Gundy's production since the start of ASUN games; five other players have scored, and five others have notched an assist. Defensively, Gabby Thies, Ava Ronsky and Kajsa Pruner have played all 360 minutes in conference games, and have been a big part of the success of the team. While the back line has held opponents to nearly 20 fewer shots than the Bears have taken, Pruner has been in front of the shots that do get through, saving over 75 percent of opposing shots on goal.
 
Central Arkansas has met EKU three times in program history, all since joining the ASUN. All three matches have been decided by one goal, with the Bears claiming two of the three wins. Last season, two first half goals were enough to earn the victory, as Central Arkansas won 2-1.
 
Eastern Kentucky enters the week with a 6-5-1 record, and a 3-1 ASUN slate. Most recently, the Colonels defeated Stetson 3-2 at home, coming back from down 2-0 to steal a win. Ella Grode scored the game-winner with less than two minutes on the clock, breaking the 2-2 tie.
 
All three of the Colonels' ASUN wins have come by just a single goal, and all of the game-winners have been scored in the final 15 minutes. Conversely, all of the goals that EKU has allowed in conference have come in the first 30 minutes of the match. The Colonels have had a balanced scoring attack this season, with four of the seven scorers notching multiple goals this season.
 
Kickoff against the Colonels is set for 7 p.m. on Thursday. The match will be streamed on ESPN+, with live stats available. As always, admission to Central Arkansas soccer games is free.