SEC play begins at home this weekend

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Arkansas opens Southeastern Conference play in soccer this weekend when the Razorbacks play host to Tennessee on Friday at 7 p.m. and Georgia on Sunday at 1 p.m.

Arkansas is 6-0-2 following last week’s trip to south Florida. The Razorbacks tied Florida Atlantic, 1-1 in double overtime, and recorded a 2-0 victory at Florida International.

Head coach Erin Aubry’s club has allowed just three goals through eight games, which ties the school record for fewest allowed this far into a season. The 2007 club also allowed three goals during a 6-2 start to the season.

Tennessee enters Friday’s contest 4-3-1 following a 1-0 loss at No. 25 West Virginia on Sunday. The last time the Lady Vols visited Razorback Field, Arkansas fought to a 1-1 tie against then-sixth ranked Tennessee.

UT has wins this year over Wisconsin, Memphis, Western Carolina and East Tennessee, other losses to Pepperdine and Arizona State, and a tie with No. 19 Minnesota.

Georgia enters the weekend 7-0-1, and ranked No. 8 in the Soccer America poll and No. 16 by the NSCAA. The last time the Bulldogs visited Fayetteville, No. 21 Georgia left with a 1-0 victory over the Razorbacks in 2007.

Arkansas enters league play as one of only four teams in the SEC still undefeated. South Carolina and Mississippi State are both 8-0, Georgia is 7-0-1 and the Razorbacks 6-0-2. The six wins tie Arkansas for fourth in the league with the most victories.

Defense has been a key to Arkansas’ success this season. The three goals allowed ties Arkansas for second in the SEC with Ole Miss behind South Carolina. Arkansas is second to USC in goals against average (0.36).

The Razorbacks are also tied with Ole Miss for second with six shutouts.

As a team, Arkansas is No. 9 in the nation in goals against average with .355, No. 12 in shutout percentage (.750) and No. 9 in save percentage (.897).

Keeper Britni Williams, a junior, set the school career record with her 18th shutout last weekend. She is also tied for second with 24 career victories.

Entering Friday’s contest, she is No. 10 in the nation and second in the SEC in goals against average (0.38), and No. 23 in the country in save percentage. She is third in the SEC with an .880 save percentage and 10th with 2.75 saves per game.

Tennessee has scored nine goals this year in 123 attempts and given up seven goals. Arkansas has scored 17 goals in 134 attempts and allowed three. Georgia has 21 goals in 137 attempts and has allowed only four goals.

Freshman forward Allie Chandler and junior forward Ally Atkins lead the Razorbacks with eight points each. Senior forward Mick Imgram leads Tennessee with 10.

Following the two home games, Arkansas is on the road for four straight to Auburn and Alabama next week, and to Vanderbilt and Kentucky the following week.