Midweek Report: Week 6
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Each week during the season, the Midweek Report will serve as a recap of the previous week of action for Arkansas Soccer, while previewing the week ahead and keeping up with national rankings and individual accolades.
Week 6 Recap
Arkansas reached unprecedented heights last week, improving its overall season record to 11-1-0 and maintaining a perfect 4-0 Southeastern Conference mark following a pair of road victories against Alabama on Sept. 22 and Ole Miss on Sept. 25.
With their 2-1 win against the Crimson Tide, the 2016 Razorbacks’ 10-1-0 effort claimed the school record for best start in program history, surpassing the 2008 team’s 9-1-0 start. Winning its fourth straight conference match also kept Arkansas on top of SEC standings with No. 5 South Carolina. As of Wednesday, the Razorbacks are tied with the Gamecocks (10-0-1, 4-0-0) in first place with 12 points earned.
Rankings Watch
The Razorbacks climbed three spots to No. 12 in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America poll released on Tuesday. Arkansas maintained its second place position in the NSCAA NCAA Division I Women’s South Regional Poll, only one spot behind South Carolina.
The NCAA also placed Arkansas No. 9 in the nation in its latest Rating Percentage Index rankings on Monday that take into account the team’s winning percentage and its opponents’ average winning percentage, among other factors.
The RPI plays a role in postseason NCAA Tournament bid selections and hosting opportunities.
In a separate poll, TopDrawerSoccer.com also ranked Arkansas No. 9 in the nation in its top 25 poll.
Combined, Arkansas’ national standing in these quantitative performance metrics are unequaled in program history and is indicative of the level of competition faced by, and overcome, by the Razorbacks in their 30th season.
Looking Ahead: Georgia
The Razorbacks only have one match this week: A home contest against Georgia on Friday, Sept. 30 at 7 p.m.
The Bulldogs are 3-7-1 on the year and 0-4-0 in conference play. Georgia will seek to snap a three-game losing streak in Fayetteville before traveling to Gainesville, Florida, the following week to face the Gators.
Georgia senior forward Marion Crowder paces the Bulldogs with a team-leading five goals and 11 points. Her 43 shots with 15 on goal and one game-winner are also top marks for the team.
The match will be streamed live on SEC Network+ via the WatchESPN app.
Georgia-Arkansas Marketing Promotions
Rec Night
- Rec families from Northwest Arkansas are welcomed to Razorback Field
- Present your Rec Night Voucher at the ticket office for a special $2 ticket rate
Student Pizza Night
- The first 200 students will receive pizza courtesy of Razorback Soccer
Hog Heaven Giveaway
- Fans can enter to win a $100 Hog Heaven Gift Certificate
Razorback Soccer Noisemaker Giveaway
- The first 500 fans will receive Razorback Soccer Thundersticks
Home Support
This Friday will be Arkansas’ first home match at Razorback Field since Sept. 18., and with six home games in the books, Arkansas ranks 14th in the nation in total attendance (8,077) and 15th in average attendance (1,346). Within the conference, Arkansas is sixth in the SEC in total attendance and fifth in average attendance.
Stats Watch
As of Wednesday, Arkansas is ranked in the top 25 in the following categories by the NCAA: 13th in scoring offense, fourth in total goals, sixth in total points, 16th in points per game, 10th in total assists, 25th in assists per game and fifth in won-lost-tied percentage.
Individually, senior Claire Kelley is ninth in the nation in assists per game and third in total assists. Senior Alexandra Fischer is also ranked 12th in total assists.
Freshman Kayla McKeon is ranked 31st in the nation in total goals and junior Jessi Hartzler and senior Lindsey Mayo are both ranked 23rd in game-winning goals.
Senior goalkeeper Cameron Carter is also ranked 15th in the nation in goalie minutes played.
Game Tickets
Single-game tickets are $5 and free for children 17 and under. Gates open one hour prior to kickoff.
For more information about Razorback Soccer, follow @RazorbackSoccer on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.