Best Of 2016; Razorbacks Beat Gators For First Time

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — A win over perennial ACC powerhouse Duke to open the home schedule might have been the defining moment of a year for most teams, but the 2016 Razorback soccer team added to the notable victory list later in the season when it knocked off reigning Southeastern Conference champion Florida for the first time in program history.

With 28 days until the start of the 2017 season, we’re taking a look back at the record-setting 2016 season that included a school-record 10 wins at Razorback Field, a top-five win over Duke, and the first home NCAA Regional match in program history.

This week, we’re taking a look at the Razorbacks’ 2-1 win over No. 4 Florida, it’s second top-five win of the season. After the game with the field still soaked and full of large puddles, both head coach Colby Hale and Arkansas athletic director Jeff Long took some swan dives into one of the bigger puddles to celebrate the victory (see the videos below).

How It Happened
Arkansas was already eight games into the year and hoping to remain perfect in the young conference season when the 14-time SEC champion Gators came to Fayetteville.

Heavy rains in the area delayed the start of the match for almost two hours, marking the time of first kick at almost 9 p.m. locally. After the weather cleared, the Razorbacks jumped on Florida early with back-to-back goals in the first half from then-junior Jessi Hartzler.

The Gators did cut into the lead with a goal of their own in the second half, but senior keeper Cameron Carter turned away a season-high eight shots on goal to help give Arkansas one of its biggest wins in the program’s 25-year history.

Important Notes
-The win over Florida marked Arkansas’ second over a top-five program in the same season for the first time ever.

-With the victory, head coach Colby Hale earned his 47th win as the Razorbacks head coach, making him the winningest coach in program history. Hale now has 57 wins as head Hog going into the 2017 season.

-1,155 fans were in attendance, helping Arkansas break its home attendance record for the third-straight year.

-The win moved Arkansas to 8-1-0 on the season, the best start in Hale’s five years as head coach.

-Hartzler’s two goals marked the fourth multi-goal performance by a Razorback through the first nine matches.

-The eight saves by goalkeeper Cameron Carter were a season high and earned her SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors.

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Arkansas 2, No. 4 Florida 1

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