Atkins win it in OT
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Ally Atkins’ goal in the 98th minute was the game-winner as Arkansas posted a 2-1 soccer victory at Missouri State on Sunday.
Arkansas played into overtime for the first time this season. Less than three minutes into the extra period, Atkins got behind the defense for a one-on-goalie situation and scored from about 10 yards out to the left side of the net with 7:43 to go in the period.
The win improves Arkansas’ record to 3-3 while MSU, which beat Oklahoma at home on Friday, is 4-3.
Laurel Pastor came off the bench to score a goal in the first half and Brittany Hudson came into the game at goalkeeper for the second half to get the victory.
"We moved Laurel out of the back after this past weekend," head coach Erin Aubry said. "She had a good week of practice scoring goals for us. It made sense to put her back up top where she’s usually been. She had a great goal for us. Ally did what she does best. If we can keep her consistent, that’s the key. She fought really hard for that goal and we’re proud of her."
Pastor, who started the first four games at defender but didn’t play at Missouri on Friday, came in at forward on Sunday. Three minutes after checking in, she fired a shot from about 25 yards out into the right corner of the net for a 1-0 Arkansas lead at 20:39.
The Bears tied the game in the final minute of the first half off a corner kick play. Nia Williams played a corner from the near side to just past the first post. Logan Bisbee went up over a Razorback defender and headed the ball in to tie the game at 1-1 at 44:30, with just 30.8 seconds remaining in the period.
For the game, MSU had the advantage with 18 shots and 10 shots on goal to 12 and six, respectively for Arkansas, but the Razorbacks had the only two shot attempts in overtime. Arkansas had five corner kicks in the second half and one in overtime for six total while the Bears had four. One foul was called on each team.
Hudson had three saves, all in the second half, while starter Britni Williams had six.
"We needed a change in goal," Aubry said. "Our focus wasn’t there in the first half. Brittany did a great job stepping up and into that role. She came up with a couple of big saves."
The goals by Atkins and Pastor are their firsts of the season. Atkins now has five for her career while Pastor has three.
Through the first half, Missouri State had a shot advantage of 9-5 with seven on goal. Arkansas had three on goal. MSU also had all three corner kicks, scoring on the third with less than a minute to play.
Arkansas went with a lineup of Williams at goalkeeper; Allie Chandler and Erin Moskos at forward; Rachel Carlson, Jessie Givens, Camille Flores and Yvonne Desjarlais at midfielder; and Beth McVean, Melanie Foncham, Kailey Anders and Jenn Fryrear at defender.
Following five consecutive road games, Arkansas returns home this week. The Razorbacks play host to St. Mary’s on Friday at 7 p.m. followed by a road game at Florida State on Sunday.
Download: ark, mostate box.pdf
