Soccer hosts Auburn in key SEC match

FAYETTEVILLE – With wins in three of its last four Southeastern Conference matches, the University of Arkansas soccer team is hoping to carry its momentum into a pivotal match against the Auburn Tigers on Sunday afternoon at 1:00 p.m. at Lady’Back Field in Fayetteville.

The Lady Razorbacks stunned the University of Alabama on Friday night to the tune of a 5-0 victory and placed themselves in prime position to advance to the SEC Championship Tournament with six matches to play. Standing in Arkansas’ way however is a very good Auburn team that is ranked seventh in the Southeastern region and has been ranked among the nation’s top 25 earlier in the year.

“Auburn is a very good side that is also looking for a win to qualify for the SEC Tournament,” Arkansas head coach Gordon Henderson said. “They are coming off a good win at LSU on Friday night and have not lost to an SEC opponent since the opening weekend of conference play. We have played well against Auburn over the past couple of years, but this will be a very difficult game.”

Last season the Lady Razorbacks took the Tigers into double overtime in Auburn, only to lose in the 105th minute. In 2004, the Lady’Backs dropped a 1-0 affair in Fayetteville and have played the Tigers to four one-goal matches over the past six seasons including two games that went into double overtime.

Helping Arkansas in its pursuit of a victory on Sunday is the fact that it was able to rest several players on Friday night. Senior forward Christina Burger scored a pair of goals against the Crimson Tide, and then had the luxury of sitting a majority of the action to rest several nagging discomforts that creep up on every player at this point in the season. The Lady’Backs were also able to substitute several of their defenders for 15-20 minutes each in an effort to keep them fresh for the Sunday clash.

Arkansas’ 5-0 victory against Alabama on Friday was also a significant moment for the Lady Razorback program as it improved their record to 10-4-0, its best in 10 years and guaranteed Arkansas a winning season. The Lady’Backs’ conference record of 3-3-0 is also poised to be an all-time best.

For more information about Lady Razorback soccer or about Arkansas women’s athletics, please go to LADYBACKS.COM.