Razorbacks Welcome Top-Ranked Penn State
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The 23rd-ranked Razorback soccer team opens the home portion of its schedule tomorrow when it hosts perennial Big 10 power and top-ranked Penn State at 6:30 p.m. at Razorback Field. Arkansas hopes to break its all-time attendance record for the fourth year in a row. Last year, the top mark was set at 3,010 fans when the Hogs beat No. 2 Duke, 2-1, at Razorback Field.
After they face the Nittany Lions, the Razorbacks will play host to Southland Conference foe, Abilene Christian, on Sunday at 1 p.m.
Season tickets are now on sale for just $25. Each season ticket order will come with one 2017 Razorback Soccer scarf. Single-game tickets can be purchased for $5 at the Razorback Field box office, which opens one hour before kickoff on game days. Current students can be admitted with their UA ID, and children 17 and under are admitted free.
Follow Live
Both matches this weekend can be seen live on SEC Network+, the online-only arm of the SEC Network. Fans can also follow live stats on ArkansasRazorbacks.com and follow in-game updates via the Razorback Soccer Twitter page.
Friday, Aug. 25
6:30 p.m. – #1 Penn State vs. #23 Arkansas – Live Stats | SECN+
Sunday, Aug. 27
1 p.m. – Abilene Christian vs. #23 Arkansas – Live Stats | SECN+
From Colby Hale
“Our fans have such a quality of knowledge when it comes to soccer. Every header, every goal, and every shot, the crowd goes crazy. It’s an unbelievable advantage and it should be a huge impact for our players.” – On the growth of the fanbase at Arkansas
“Every year since I’ve been here, we’ve played every one of the ‘blue bloods.’ I think our team is used to it. They might be nervous, but so will Penn State. It’s going to be a different environment for them as well. As always, I think the first 10 minutes are always jittery for both teams, but once you get past that, I think the girls will play well.” – On playing the top-ranked Penn State
“At this stage, everyone is in the same boat. You have some players that develop late, some players learning the college game, and some players stepping into bigger roles. I think we’re in a really good place with the team we have and the goals keep getting better.” – On the depth of his roster
“It’s going to be unbelievable tomorrow night. There are going to be 3,000 to 4,000 people here. It’s an unbelievable experience. Anyone that has ever come to a game with that kind of weather has come away saying that its one of their best experiences as a Razorback fan.” – On what he expects from the fans on Friday night against Penn State
Quick Kicks
>> No. 23 Arkansas opens its 2017 home schedule with perennial Big 10 power, No. 1 Penn State, on Friday night at Razorback Field. It’s the third time Arkansas has faced the nation’s top team under head coach Colby Hale.
>> Friday’s match is the second time ever the Razorbacks have faced off with the Nittany Lions. Penn State was victorious in its only previous meeting, a 4-2 decision in Happy Valley on Aug. 30, 2015.
>> The weekend concludes with a match against Southland Conference foe, Abilene Christian on Sunday. It’s the first time both programs have faced off in its histories.
>> Sophomore Kayla McKeon scored her first goal of the season last Sunday at North Texas. It was her 10th of her career, which leads all active Razorbacks.
>> Arkansas has not lost a home opener since 2008, recording eight-straight victories to open the year at Razorback Field. Last year, Arkansas knocked off No. 2 Duke in its 2016 home opener, 2-1.
>> Freshman goalkeeper Rachel Harris earned the start in the net for last Friday’s season opener at SMU, making five saves. Harris is the only freshman goalkeeper in the SEC to start a match this year.
>>Redshirt junior goalkeeper Jordan Harris earned her first full shutout of the season and her career last Sunday at North Texas.
>> Arkansas is looking to break its single-game home attendance record for the third-straight year when it faces Penn State on Friday. Last year, it set the record with 3,010 fans in a 2-1 win over No. 2 Duke.
Top 5 Home Attendances
1. 3,010 vs. #2 Duke (Aug. 26, 2016)
2. 2,337 vs. TCU (Aug. 23, 2015)
3. 2,268 vs. Oklahoma State (Aug. 24, 2014)
4. 1,709 vs. South Carolina (Oct. 12, 2001)
5. 1,701 vs. Georgia (Sept. 30, 2016)
For more information on Razorback Soccer, follow @RazorbackSoccer on Twitter.
