CONWAY, Ark. – The Central Arkansas women's soccer team is back in action on Thursday, returning home for the first time after a three-game road trip. The Bears will face Austin Peay at the Bill Stephens Track and Soccer Complex, kicking off at 7 p.m.
 
The Bears (5-6-3, 2-2-1 UAC) picked up a big win to close the road swing, defeating West Georgia 3-1 on Sunday. Caroline Billings had herself a day, assisting on the first goal for the Bears in the first half before scoring the last two herself in the second half. The brace gave Billings her sixth and seventh goals of the season, putting her atop the UAC this season.
 
Along with Billings' goals, the Bears also have a few players near the top of the list in assists. Sakiko Manabe and Jama Akpanudo each have five assists, good for second in the conference. In goal, since the start of UAC games, Anna Kathryn Harrell has been excellent, posting a 1.00 goals against average, the second-lowest in the conference.
 
Central Arkansas faced Austin Peay twice last season, drawing both matches. After playing to a 2-2 draw in Conway, the Bears went up to Clarksville, Tennessee a few days later, and gutted out a 1-1 draw on the road as well.
 
This season, Austin Peay holds a 2-11-1 record, with a 1-4 showing in UAC play. The Governors just finished a two-game home stand against Abilene Christian and Tarleton State, dropping both results. Before that, the Govs picked up their first UAC win with a 3-1 win over West Georgia.
 
Austin Peay is led in scoring this year by Anna Drexel, who has three goals. She scored in the season opener, and after scoring against the Wildcats, has two goals in UAC matches. But goals have been difficult to come by for the Govs, who have just ten goals through 14 matches, while the team has surrendered 31 on the other side of the pitch.
 
Kickoff against Austin Peay is set for 7 p.m. on Thursday. The match will be streamed on ESPN+, with live stats available online. As always, attendance at Central Arkansas soccer matches is free.