CONWAY, Ark. – The Central Arkansas women's soccer team will play its home opener on Sunday, hosting the Oklahoma State Cowgirls at the Bill Stephens Track and Soccer Complex. Kickoff against the Cowgirls is set for 1 p.m.
 
The Bears (0-1) didn't get to play their regularly scheduled match against Alcorn on Thursday due to roster issues within the Braves' program, so the only game experience that the Bears have this season was the 2024 debut against Tulsa, over a week ago. In that match, freshman Sophia Backstrom was a day one starter and made a major impact from the outset, scoring a goal in her Purple and Gray debut. Anna Kerr started her senior season with a bang, assisting on Backstrom's goal while putting in one of her own.
 
Backstrom's score marked the first time a Bear has scored in their Central Arkansas debut since 2018. She was one of eight Bears to make their first appearance against Tulsa, giving some of the newcomers valuable experience right out of the gates.
 
Last season's match against Oklahoma State was a bit of an eye-opener for the Bears, who led at halftime 2-1. Maria Vanegas and Abbi Armstrong both tallied scores against the Cowgirls, and for a good portion of the match, the Bears looked to be in control of the flow of the game. After facing the Cowgirls, the Bears lost just two more matches the rest of the regular season, going 8-2-3 the rest of the regular season.
 
Oklahoma State enters Sunday's match ranked 17^th in the country with a 3-0 record. The Cowgirls already have wins over Nebraska, ORU and Oklahoma, shutting out all three opponents. OSU has limited its opponents to just 11 shots on goal through the first three matches, and has proven to bring a defensive impact this season.
 
Sunday's match is set for 1 p.m., and is the first home game of the season for the Bears. The match will be on ESPN+, with live stats available online.