Lady'Backs look to right ship in Gainesville

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The University of Arkansas Lady Razorback soccer team looks to keep their post-season hopes alive on Sunday afternoon when they take on the University of Florida in yet another critical Southeastern Conference matchup in Gainesville, Fla., on Sunday afternoon at 12:30 p.m. central.

After suffering a tough loss amid rainstorms in Fayetteville on Friday night, the Lady’Backs boarded a plane on Saturday morning to travel to the Sunshine State for their Sunday afternoon contest which can be heard in Fayetteville on KXUA Radio, 88.3 FM or on the internet at www.ladybacks.com.

“It goes without saying that this is a crucial match for us,” Arkansas head coach Gordon Henderson said. “Only positive things can happen for us on Sunday. With the matchups that occur on Sunday, we can not lose ground on our opponents for the SEC Tournament. We’ll go into the game with nothing to lose and our heads held high.”

The Lady Razorbacks enter the Sunday match knowing that in order to continue season, they must raise their level of play to the highest levels. The Gators are perennial SEC Championship contenders and enter the match 10-3-3 and second in the conference’s eastern division.

Key to Arkansas’ success is the play of its defense which has been its strongest asset throughout the 2004 season. Anchored by goalkeeper Carrie Dillsaver, the Lady’Backs have surrendered just 23 goals this year and are on pace to have one of their best defense campaigns in the 18-year history of the Arkansas program. While Dillsaver has been a key, the Lady Razorbacks as a whole have taken a defensive mentality to their contests giving the Lady’Back defenders help when they need it most.

An Arkansas victory or tie would certainly help the Lady Razorbacks’ efforts to a post-season run, but in order to do that they will have score goals as the Gators enter the game with the league’s top offense. Arkansas’ offense has created numerous opportunities over the past several matches, but connected on just a few, a trend that has to change if the Lady’Backs hope to pick up their first result against Florida in the ninth career meeting between the two schools.

For more information about Lady Razorback soccer or about Arkansas women’s athletics, please go to www.ladybacks.com.