The Central Arkansas women's soccer team kicks off the 2026 season at home against Oral Roberts, marking the start of the athletics calendar. The match will take place at the Bill Stephens Track and Soccer Complex with a scheduled kickoff at 7 p.m. Central Arkansas, led by second-year head coach Derek Nichols, is entering the United Athletic Conference and will play nine non-conference games this season. The team boasts key returning players like Preseason All-ASUN midfielder Sakiko Manabe and seniors Caroline Billings and Megan Moudy. Oral Roberts, coming off a strong season, was ranked first in the Summit League Preseason Poll.

By the Numbers
  • Oral Roberts finished the last season with a 13-5-2 record and reached the Summit League title game.
  • Central Arkansas leads the recent matchups against ORU 3-1 this decade, with the last meeting resulting in a 1-0 victory for the Bears.
State of Play
  • The match is the first of two home games in August for Central Arkansas.
  • The Bears will follow this match with nine non-conference games before entering the regular conference schedule.
What's Next

Following the match against Oral Roberts, Central Arkansas will look to build momentum into their non-conference schedule, facing various teams before transitioning into the new conference play. Key performances from returning players will be crucial for the Bears' success in the upcoming season.

Bottom Line

The Central Arkansas women's soccer team's season opener against Oral Roberts is a critical opportunity to establish early success, with returning talent ready to make an impact. The outcome will set the tone for the Bears as they navigate through a competitive season.