Paulsen strike lifts Lady'Backs in OT

SHREVEPORT, La. – Kathleen Paulsen hit a 20-yard strike into the side netting to lift the University of Arkansas Lady Razorback soccer team to a 1-0 overtime victory over Centenary College in Shreveport, La., on Sunday afternoon.

Arkansas’ win moves it to 5-2-0 on the season and gives it a second consecutive road victory while Centenary falls to 3-3-0. Arkansas’ overtime win is its first of the season in its second overtime match.

“A win is a win,” Arkansas head coach Gordon Henderson said. “I thought that we had good play throughout the game, but couldn’t connect in the offensive third. It took a quality shot to give us the victory, but at the end of the day, if you can keep the other team off the scoreboard, then you have a chance to win.”

Scoreless through two halves, the teams moved to the first overtime period nearly even on the stats sheet. Arkansas was credited with 12 shots to Centenary’s 10, but the Lady Razorbacks certainly had the upper hand in terms of quality of chances and time of possession.

In what turned out to be the final portion of the game, what seemed to be a harmless Lady Razorback attack down the right side of the field led to the game winning score. A Centenary clear resulted in an Arkansas throw in which Lindsay Patterson came to the sideline to take. Throwing short to Paulsen, the sophomore touched the ball with her left foot across her body, then turned and fired a shot that eluded the Centenary goalkeeper and ended the contest.

Defensively, Arkansas posted its fifth shutout of the season and it’s second in row. Freshman Britni Williams earned her fourth shutout of the year to place her just ½ shy of the Lady Razorback school record of Megan Bals set in 1999 and dropped her goals against average from a miniscule 0.51 to 0.43, a mark that ranks among the best in the Southeastern Conference. As a team, Arkansas’ five shutouts are just three behind the Lady Razorback school record of eight which has been set two times, 1996 and 1991.

Playing under a clear sky and low 90sw temperatures, Arkansas and Centenary battled throughout the midfield. Arkansas attacks were consistently cleared back toward the center circle, but a determined Lady Razorback squad continued their pursuit of the game-winning tally. Centenary’s Brittany O’Neill caused the Arkansas defense fits with her speed, but each quick counter by the Ladies was turned aside by Arkansas.

The Lady Razorbacks return to Fayetteville for the start of a six-game home stand which opens on Friday night at 7:00 p.m. against Missouri State. For more information about Lady Razorback soccer or about Arkansas women’s athletics, please go to www.ladybacks.com.