CONWAY, Ark. – The Central Arkansas women's soccer team gets set for its ASUN Championship Semifinal on Thursday, facing Lipscomb after a 12-day break. Kickoff against the Bisons is set for 2 p.m. CT down in Fort Myers, Florida.
 
The Bears (9-6-2, 8-1-2 ASUN) earned the double-bye into the ASUN Championship after finishing the regular season with the No. 2 seed. It marks the second-straight No. 2 seed for Central Arkansas, and the third time in four years that the Bears will reach the ASUN Championship Semifinals.
 
Central Arkansas is bolstered by several all-conference players as it makes a push for an ASUN title, most notably First Team All-ASUN midfielder Kelly Van Gundy. The Flower Mound, Texas native led the Bears with nine goals, setting a career-high, and led the Bears again with 19 points. In ASUN games, she had eight goals and four game-winners, both second in the ASUN.
 
But Van Gundy was hardly the only reason for the success of the Bears this year. Nina Mazzola, Gabby Thies and Kajsa Pruner all earned ASUN honors after contributing to the defense that allowed 1.94 goals per game, with three shutouts. Additionally, Anna Kerr was a problem at the top of the offense, leading the Bears with four assists this season, adding three goals to her tally.
 
Central Arkansas was also able to lean on its youngsters, earning three All-Freshman nods from Jama Akpanudo, Sophia Backstrom and Addylan Wright. Akpanudo and Backstrom contributed to the offense, adding a combined five goals and three assists, while Wright started 14 games on the back line, becoming a key piece by the end of the season.
 
The Bears will line up against Lipscomb, who defeated Bellarmine in the quarterfinals to reach this stage. The Bisons picked up their 12^th win of the season after scoring twice late, equalizing in the 74^th minute before hitting the game-winner in double-overtime.
 
Central Arkansas beat Lipscomb in the regular season meeting, going into Nashville and handing the Bisons their first regular season, ASUN loss at home in five years. After giving up two early goals, the Bears fought back, eventually scoring the game-winner in the 79^th minute, thanks to a free kick from Van Gundy.
 
Kickoff against the Bisons is set for 2 p.m. CT in Fort Myers, Florida. The game will be streamed on ESPN+, with live stats available online.