CONWAY, Ark. – The Atlantic Sun Conference has released its men's soccer  Preseason All-ASUN Team, and four Bears were added to the list, with players on both sides of the ball included on the 11-man squad. The Bears also received one superlative, with Elijah Bishop being named the ASUN Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.
 
"We are returning a senior group that has high expectations for themselves this season. These four being honored by the ASUN is in recognition of the ability they have shown in the past, but it will very much be a team effort to accomplish our goals this season," Head coach Kyle Segebart said of his squad.
 
Bishop enters his junior season as arguably the best defender in the ASUN, widely known as a shutdown, end-to-end defender. The Colorado native was a First Team All-ASUN and Second Team All-Region defender, played nearly every minute last season, playing 90-plus minutes against every opponent except for NAIA Evangel. He led a defense that logged five shutouts and held four other opponents to a single goal. Bishop also added a goal and an assist, including the opening score of a 2-1 win over Lipscomb.
 
"I have had the privilege of working with Elijah since he was a redshirt freshman in 2022 here at UCA. Elijah bleeds Purple and Gray. He puts in the work on the field, in the classroom, and cares deeply about his teammates and this team. We believe this nomination is a fair assessment of where he stands as a defender in the conference right now, but he is not done growing yet. We are very excited about his future at UCA." – Coach Segebart
 
Ramirez minds the nets again this season, and finished last season with a 1.32 GAA, the third-best in the ASUN. He logged five shutouts on the year, and held four other opponents to a single goal. He made five or more saves in nine matches, including a career-high 14 against Wake Forest, and had the best save percentage in the ASUN at 77.1 percent. He lowered his GAA in ASUN matches, carrying a 1.29 GAA through seven ASUN games.
 
"Javi made big saves in big games for us last year. If one or two of our conference games go a different way, I think we would be talking about the returning ASUN Goalkeeper of the year. He is a presence that instills confidence in our backline and our team. Javi is working hard in training to maximize his ability and achieve our goals as a team this season." – Coach Segebart
 
Richards, a First Team All-ASUN and Second Team All-Region forward, finished last year with 19 points, the second-most in the ASUN last season, tallying seven goals and a team-best five assists. He was the only player to finish the year in the top-five in the league in both goals and assists, finishing fourth in goals and third in assists. Four of his goals came in the ASUN Championship, scoring once in the semifinal and a hat trick in the championship final. 
 
"We are very excited to have Devonte return for his third season at Central Arkansas. He is an electrifying talent with a big personality, and he is working hard in training to show what he can do in the Purple and Gray this season. If his current trajectory as a player remains consistent, he is in line to have a very special year." – Coach Segebart
 
Fontana finished last season as a First Team All-ASUN and First Team All-Region forward after ending the year second in the ASUN in goals, tallying eight on the season. He added two assists for a total of 18 points, which ranked third in the ASUN. He scored five goals against ASUN schools, including a hat trick in a 6-2 win over North Florida. He then logged three points in the ASUN Tournament, helping the Bears reach the ASUN Championship Final.
 
"Pietro is consistently one of the hardest working players in our team. He is not afraid to do the dirty work for us from the front and his finishing is lethal when given even half a chance. He will be challenged with big expectations this season but we know he will embrace it." – Coach Segebart
 
The Bears have two exhibitions at home over the weekend, playing Kansas City on Friday and Christian Brothers on Monday. Central Arkansas officially begins the season on August 22^nd, playing the first of six-straight on the road at Portland.