Soccer Eyes 2-0 Start in Opening Weekend

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The Razorbacks cap the end of a back-to-back opening weekend against TCU on Sunday, Aug. 23 at 6 p.m. The team needs you there to break the attendance record of 2,268, set during last year’s 2-1 victory over Oklahoma St. on Aug. 24.

WHAT’S AT STAKE?

With a win, Arkansas would move to 2-0-0 for the fourth consecutive season. The Razorbacks longest undefeated start was in 2013, when they began the year 7-0-0.

ARKANSAS QUICK KICKS

• Arkansas is looking to reverse history, as the team has never defeated TCU in Fayetteville, going 0-3-1 in four such matches against the Horned Frogs. The last matchup at home was a 0-0 draw in 2000.
• With their 4-1 victory over SFA on Friday night, the Razorbacks have now won seven consecutive home openers. They are now 20-10-0 all-time in home-opening matches, including 13-2-0 since 2001.
• Gabriella DeLeon scored two goals on Friday, doubling her career scoring output in the process. DeLeon also had two goals in the Razorbacks’ 3-2 NCAA Tournament victory at Oklahoma last season. She also added an assist on a goal by Claire Kelley.
• Reece Christopherson started her Arkansas career off with a bang on Friday, scoring an unassisted goal in the 54th minute that because the eventual game-winner. Christopherson dribbled in from the right wing and launched a left-footed shot into the twine.
• In the Razorbacks’ annual Red vs. White intrasquad game on Aug. 6, Ashleigh Ellenwood scored two goals to lead the White team to a 3-0 win over the Red team.
• Assistant coach Kristi Kiely makes her second appearance on the Razorbacks’ sideline. She had been the head coach at her alma mater, Westmont College, since 2010.

SEC WATCH LIST

In lieu of a SEC Preseason Team, four Razorbacks were added to the Preseason SEC Watch List. All multiple-year starters and upperclassmen, look for these four to make significant impacts this season:

• Ashleigh Ellenwood
• Alexandra Fischer
• Claire Kelley
• Lindsey Mayo

TDS.com RECOGNIZES RAZORBACKS

In their preseason notes, TopDrawerSoccer.com recognized the Razorbacks’ Ashleigh Ellenwood. She’s featured among the best players in the conference and the country.

• No. 5 among top 20 in SEC
• No. 54 among top 100 upperclassmen

Here’s what TopDrawerSoccer.com had to say about the Razorbacks in the site’s 2015 SEC Preview:

“Under Colby Hale, Arkansas secured back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since 2009. And while 2014 didn’t quite reach the dizzying heights of 2013’s NCAA Tournament run, the Razorbacks seem poised to climb towards another winning season. The bulk of their offense returns, with attacking talent Ashleigh Ellenwood, Claire Kelley and Alexandra Fischer back after combining for 17 goals and 24 assists last season.”

RECORDS WATCH

• Ashleigh Ellenwood

ASSISTS
1. 26, Holly Collins (1997-2001)
2. 22, Ashleigh Ellenwood (2012—)
3. 17, Alexis Hyrup (1992-96)

GAME-WINNING GOALS
1. 11, Julie Williford (2000-03)
2. 9, Mary Howard (1987-90)
3. 8, Ashleigh Ellenwood (2012—)

GAME-TYING GOALS
1. 7, Ruthie Miller (1989-92)
2. 5, Ashleigh Ellenwood (2012—)

• Cameron Carter

WINS
1. 30, Britni WIlliams (2007-10)
2. 28, Carrie Dilsaver (2003-06)
T3. 24, Molly Myers (1989-92)
T3. 24, Kerri Reifel (1991-94)
5. 23, Cameron Carter (2013—)

SHUTOUTS
1. 28, Britni Williams (2007-10)
2. 17.5, Molly Myers (1989-92)
3. 17, Carrie Dilsaver (2003-06)
4. 13, Cameron Carter (2013—)
5. 12.5, Holly Smith (1993-96)

ATTENDANCE SOARING

• There were 1,251 in attendance on Friday night for the home opener, as Arkansas continued its strong trend of attracting supporters to Razorback Field.
• After averaging 981 fans per game in 2013, the Razorbacks attracted 1,359 supporters per contest in 2014. That equals an astounding 38.5-percent increase in average attendance.
• Those numbers were a 38.5-percent increase over 2013 and vaulted the Razorbacks up to 13th in the country for women’s soccer attendance.

2010-14 Average Attendance

• 2010: 766
• 2011: 904
• 2012: 841
• 2013: 981
• 2014: 1,359
• 2015: 1,251

2010-14 Total Attendance

• 2010: 5,365
• 2011: 8,135
• 2012: 9,255
• 2013: 10,786
• 2014: 12,231
• 2015: 1,251

UP NEXT

The Razorbacks head to the Northeast for matchups with Yale and Penn State over the weekend. The road trip includes a stop in New Haven, Conn., on Friday, Aug. 28 and then a trip to State College, Pa., on Saturday, Aug. 30.