Lady'Backs post second consecutive shutout

FAYETTEVILLE – Senior forward Jenni Brashear scored the game’s lone goal on a header in the 47th minute to pace the University of Arkansas Lady Razorback soccer team to a 1-0 victory over Southwest Missouri State University at Lady’Back Field on Friday evening.

The win brings the Lady Razorbacks to 2-1-0 on the season while Southwest Missouri falls to 1-1-0.

“I thought that this was a well played and even match,” Arkansas head coach Gordon Henderson said. “I think that we won the battle of possession and that we looked very good at the start of the game. I was well pleased with our fitness level and with the way we finished out the halves. We are still learning how to win.”

A scoreless game through halftime, the Lady Razorbacks came out in the second period determined. A trait that showed immediately as they beat the Bears to nearly every 50:50 ball. Just 1:27 into the second, Arkansas was awarded a corner kick that which was taken by halftime sub Meredith Thompson from the left side of the SMS goal. A tremendous pass into the mixer caught the head of Brashear who stood three yards from the goal mouth and a flick later put Arkansas up 1-0.

Brashear’s goal is her first of the 2004 season and fourth of her career while Thompson picks up her first career assist. Brashear’s goal is also her third game winner.

“I think that Jenni is too good a forward not to have scored a goal yet,” Henderson said.

Throughout the game it was the Lady Razorback defense that held the Bears in hibernation. After tallying six goals in their opener, Southwest Missouri looked strong with 10 shots, four on face, but few were of concern for Lady Razorback goalkeeper Carrie Dillsaver who recorded her second shutout of the season and fifth of her career.

“Southwest Missouri is a good side and is very well organized,” Henderson said. “I was very pleased to keep them off the scoreboard. We got a little lucky when they hit the crossbar, but I’m a firm believer in that you create your own luck.”

Helping the Lady Razorback effort was the return of Andrea Sparks to the back four of Katie Taylor, Allison Harris and Devon Burger. Sparks missed the Tulsa game due to a mild concussion, but returned to the lineup on Friday to play a full 90 minutes along side her teammates.

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