FORT MYERS, Fla. – The Central Arkansas women's soccer team bowed out of the ASUN Championship in the semifinal, falling to Lipscomb in the final match of the season.
 
The Bears ended their season with a 9-7-2 record after dropping the decision to Lipscomb, falling 7-0 at the site of Florida Gulf Coast. Down several players due to injury, the Bears couldn't find a rhythm on either side of the ball.
 
Similar to the regular season match, the Bears got off to a slow start, giving up a pair of goals in the first ten minutes. And despite trying to battle back, Central Arkansas struggled to build a counter. The Bears finally got a shot late in the half from Ashlyn May, but it trailed wide of the net, and Central Arkansas went into the break down 4-0.
 
Central Arkansas looked to reset in the second half, and started off better than in the first. Sophia Backstrom got an early look at goal, but her shot didn't reach the keeper, getting blocked by a defender before reaching a dangerous spot. But it quickly became more of the same, with the Bisons adding three goals in the second half. Central Arkansas continued to fight despite the deficit, but the Bisons defense was able to hold on for the shutout.
 
The Bears close 2024 reaching a third ASUN Semifinal in four years, and earned a double-bye for the second-straight year.