Another ranked team holds off Hogs

FAYETTEVILLE — For the second game in a row, Arkansas’s soccer team held one of the top teams in the country to a scoreless halftime tie, but the Razorbacks allowed a second-half goal and fell to No. 12 Florida 1-0 at Razorback Field on Sunday.

On Thursday, Arkansas held No. 10 South Carolina to a scoreless halftime tie in Columbia, but dropped a 2-0 decision.

“We played awesome,” head coach Erin Aubry said. “It’s flattering when a team like Florida wants to kill the clock against you. That shows we’re dangerous when we’re confident.”

Sunday’s loss leaves the Razorbacks 8-6-4 overall and 2-6-2 in the Southeastern Conference. Florida, which is the third straight ranked opponent the Hogs have faced, is now 13-4-2 overall and 7-1-2 in the league.

At 63:31, Lindsay Thompson took passes from McKenzie Barney and Sarah Chapman, and scored from just inside the six for the only goal of the game.

With 7:18 left in the game, Arkansas appeared to have tied the game. On a play in front of the net, a Florida defender headed the ball, but it sailed backwards. Keeper Katie Fraine caught it above her head and stepped back inside the goal, which would have been a score for Arkansas, but Ally Atkins was called for a foul on the play to nullify the score.

For the game, Arkansas had a 15-14 shot advantage, including a 7-6 lead in the second period. The Razorbacks had five corner kicks to three for the Florida, but Arkansas was called for 12 fouls while the Gators had seven.

Florida had five shots and goal and Arkansas four. Allie Chandler had two for the Razorbacks, and Kailey Anders and Camille Flores one each.

“Our leaders stepped in and really dictated to the rest of the team what we wanted and they followed,” Aubry said. “There’s no doubt we’re good enough to be winning these games. These matches come down to maturity and experience. Teams like Florida and Tennessee stick their couple of chances. It all comes down to youth.”

In the first half, each team managed eight shots with three on goal for Florida and two on goal for the Razorbacks. Each team had three corner kicks. Arkansas was called for six fouls and the Gators three.

Arkansas closes its regular-season schedule at home on Friday when the Razorbacks face No. 17 LSU at 7 p.m. at Razorback Field.

It will also be Senior Night for Arkansas. Seniors Kim Schleif, Sophie Wentz, Kathleen Paulsen and Kat Moffett will play their final home game for Arkansas.

Download: ark, fla game.pdf