CONWAY, Ark. – IT'S SOCCER SEASON! The 2026-27 athletics season opens official contests with the first women's soccer match of the season on Wednesday. The Bears will host Oral Roberts at the Bill Stephens Track and Soccer Complex for a 7 p.m. kickoff to get the athletic calendar started.
 
Central Arkansas, under second year head coach Derek Nichols, embarks on year one in the United Athletic Conference with the first of nine non-conference games, and the first of two home games in August. After the nine non-conference, Central Arkansas starts a new era in a new conference, adding games against schools in Texas and Little Rock to the conference slate.
 
The Bears have several high-impact returners donning the Purple and Gray again this season, starting with Preseason All-ASUN midfielder Sakiko Manabe. The senior midfielder is one of five Bears returning this season that scored multiple goals last year, and her four assists are the second-most among returners. Also making their returns are seniors Caroline Billings (5 goals, 2 assists) and Megan Moudy (2 goals, 5 assists).
 
Oral Roberts enters the season after a 13-5-2 slate, having made the Summit League title game. The Golden Eagles were selected first in the Summit League Preseason Poll, earning eight six of the eight first place votes. Additionally, defender Precious Edosa and forward Brianna Castleberry were selected to the conference's Players to Watch list. Edosa led a defense that allowed less than a goal per match, surrendering only 19 goals across 20 matches. Castleberry, on the other side of the pitch, tallied four goals and nine assists, logging the most goal contributions on the squad and finishing second on the team with 17 points.
 
ORU and Central Arkansas have played several times in the 2020s, with the Bears leading the decade 3-1. Last time the teams met, the Bears picked up a 1-0 decision in Conway during the 2023 season. Moudy tallied the lone goal in the 60^th minute, earning her first-career game-winner as a Bear.
 
Kickoff against the Golden Eagles is set for 7 p.m. at the Bill Stephens Complex. The game will be streamed live on ESPN+, with live stats available online. As always, attendance at Central Arkansas soccer matches is free.