Razorback Soccer Falls To No. 22 Wildcats 2-1
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Arkansas fell to No. 22 Kentucky 2-1 Sunday night despite an energetic rally late in the match at the Bell Soccer Complex.
With the Razorbacks down 2-0 in the 80th minute, Katie Moore took a shot that went high and clanked off the crossbar, but Alexandra “Sparky” Fischer was there to head it in, scoring her first goal of the season.
Arkansas showed off their signature second half surge to try and tie the match, but the Wildcats were able to hold on for the win.
“There were moments it was really good, and moments [where] it was just ok,” said soccer head coach Colby Hale. “Sunday road games aren’t easy. We said it would take a full 90.”
With the loss, Arkansas split their SEC road weekend 1-1. They are now 5-6-0 overall, and 1-3-0 in conference play.
“We have asked some players to step up, and again, I thought some players did that,” Hale said. “Kentucky is ranked for a reason.”
The Wildcats scored early in the first period, with freshman Sophie Babo managing to get past keeper Jordan Harris late in the fourth minute. That goal gave Kentucky their first lead against Arkansas in a match since 2011.
Despite being outshot by Kentucky 14-8, the Razorbacks played aggressively throughout the contest, with Rachel VanFossen, Claire Kelley, and Katie Moore all seeing good opportunities to score at various points in the match. Junior defender Erika Miller also played well, breaking up several Wildcat plays and clearing several balls in the box.
Looking ahead, the Razorbacks face their next two SEC foes at home on Razorback Field: No. 17 South Carolina comes to Fayetteville, Ark. on Fri., Oct. 2 and Ole Miss the following week on Fri., Oct. 7.
“On to a very good South Carolina team at home on Friday,” Hale said. “We will be ready.”
For more information on Arkansas Soccer during the season, follow @RazorbackSoccer on Twitter.
