A New Chapter for the Bears
The 2026‑27 women's soccer season opened on Wednesday night when the Central Arkansas Bears hosted Oral Roberts University at the Bill Stephens Track and Soccer Complex in Conway, Arkansas, with a 7 p.m. kickoff that will be streamed live on ESPN+.
The match serves as the first of what promises to be a demanding early stretch, featuring nine non‑conference games and two home fixtures in August, giving the Bears a chance to build chemistry before conference play begins.
Key Returners and Fresh Momentum
Coach Derek Nichols can count on a core group that returns from last season, highlighted by midfielder Sakiko Manabe, a Preseason All‑ASUN selection with four assists, forward Caroline Billings, who contributed five goals and two assists, and defender Megan Moudy, whose two goals and five assists added depth to the attack.
Oral Roberts comes into the season with a 13‑5‑2 record that carried the Golden Eagles to the Summit League title game, entering the preseason poll as the unanimous No. 1 choice and fielding standout defender Precious Edosa and forward Brianna Castleberry, both named to the league’s Players to Watch list.
A Rivalry with History
The two programs have faced each other five times in the 2020s, with Central Arkansas holding a 3‑1 advantage; the most recent meeting in 2023 ended 1‑0 after Megan Moudy scored the winning goal in the 60th minute.
Fans will enjoy free admission to the game, while viewers can follow live statistics online, underscoring the growing visibility of women's college soccer.