CONWAY, Ark. – With soccer season just around the corner, the United Athletic Conference has released its inaugural Preseason All-UAC Team, and the Bears were awarded one spot, based on coaches' votes.
 
Sakiko Manabe, a senior midfielder for the Bears, earned the lone spot for Central Arkansas. She was one of the primary playmakers last year for an offense that had 11 players score a goal, and seven players score multiple times. For her own numbers, Manabe had two goals and four assists, logging the third-most assists on the team.
 
"I'm excited for Kiko to get this recognition. She will be one of the most technical midfielders in the conference, for sure. Her ability on the ball and her tactical IQ are what make her the player she is," Head Coach Derek Nichols said of Manabe. "She does a great job finding pockets of space to be able to distribute the ball, which allows us to have a lot of success. We're looking forward to what she does this fall and what our group can do. I have a feeling she won't be the only one on the list at the end of the year."
 
The Bears were also selected in a tie for fourth place in the Preseason Coaches' Poll, receiving the same number of votes as Abilene Christian.
 
Manabe and the Bears get the season started on Wednesday, hosting Oral Roberts at home to get the 2026 season opened. The Bears and Golden Eagles will kick off at 7 p.m. at the Bill Stephens Track and Soccer Complex.