Lady'Back soccer rolls over Southern

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – Sophomore Katie Hamilton scored a goal and added three assists to lead the University of Arkansas Lady Razorback soccer team to a record-setting day and a clean sweep on the weekend when it put together a superb first half in a 11-0 win over Southern University in Huntsville, Ala., on Sunday afternoon.

The win improves the Lady Razorbacks to 4-3-0 on the season while Southern falls to 0-6-1.

“I’m happy with the win and pleased with the shutout,” Arkansas head coach Gordon Henderson said. “I thought we finished well and that we are at a point in the season where we have reached some of our goals and are ready to move forward.”

Junior Morgan McCord opened the scoring just 1:50 into the contest when she took a cross field feed from sophomore Katie Hamilton on the right side of the penalty area and hit a shot to the far post for the game’s first tally. The goal is McCord’s first of the season and third game winner. Hamilton’s assist was the first of three on the game which tied the Arkansas record for a single contest, as she secured the left flank for the Lady Razorbacks. The points are also her first on the season.

The score quickly went to 2-0 less than three minutes later when freshman Sarah Gwisdala scored her third goal of the weekend and first of back-to-back goals at 4:18. Gwisdala took a feed from sophomore Christina Burger at the top of the penalty area between a pair of Southern defenders and quickly deposited a shot into the left side of the net. Gwisdala’s second came 1:35 later when she took a pass from Hamilton and hit the right side of the goal.

Arkansas’ fourth score came from Hamilton as she hit a laser from 12 yards out that was deflected past the Southern keeper by a Jaguar defender.

Sophomore Katie Stauffer notched Arkansas’ fifth goal in the first 10 minutes of action when she took a cross-pitch feed from Hamilton on the right of the mixer and sent a shot into the upper-left 90.

Freshman Allison Harter wrapped up the Lady Razorbacks first-half scoring efforts when she notched the first goal of her career at 30:28. Arkansas’ attack came from the right side where junior defender Katie Taylor found space in the Southern defense before sending a crisp pass to Harter who opened up some space between herself and the defense giving her an open shot on goal to make the halftime lead 6-0.

Junior Meredith Thompson scored her first goal of the season in the 55th minute when she connected on a 12-yard shot from the right side. Taking the pass from freshman Carmen Davis, Thompson set up at the top of the 18 before taking one touch and sending a rifle into the far side.

Thompson connected on an assist five minutes later when Davis passed to her from the left side of the penalty area. Thompson quickly sent the ball to the far side where senior Jenni Brashear put a shot into the back of the net. Brashear tied Arkansas’ school record for goals in a game when she scored the Lady Razorbacks’ ninth tally in the 64th minute.

Christina Burger broke the record moments later when she hit a 15-yard volley over the outstretch hand of the Southern goalkeeper. Burger was fed by freshman Becca Davis who recorded the first point of her career.

Carmen Davis completed Arkansas’ scoring efforts with a goal from McCord late in the contest.

Sophomore Carrie Dillsaver recorded her fourth shutout of the season with her two-save effort. The total is Arkansas’ best effort since 2000 when it also forced four shutouts.

The Lady Razorbacks are back in action next Sunday, Sept. 19, when they take on the Old Dominion Monarchs in Norfolk, Va. For more information about Lady Razorback soccer or about Arkansas women’s athletics, please go to www.ladybacks.com.