Soccer looks to continue winning ways in Oxford

OXFORD, Miss. – Fresh off a 2-1 overtime win against Mississippi State and the knowledge that at 2-0-1 it is tied for first in the Southeastern Conference’s Western Division, the University of Arkansas Lady Razorback soccer team looks to continue its perfect conference season on Sunday afternoon when it takes on the Ole Miss Lady Rebels in Oxford, Miss., at 1:00 p.m.

A blow-by-blow account of all the action can be heard in the Fayetteville area on KXUA, 88.3 FM or on the internet at www.ladybacks.com as the game is to be broadcast live from Oxford.

Off to their best start since joining the SEC in the fall of 1993, the Lady Razorbacks know that every game is going to be a battle, but also know that any thing can happen on a given day. On Friday evening there were several upsets in SEC action including their Sunday opponent Ole Miss getting beaten by LSU in Oxford.

“I think that Sunday’s game is going to be incredibly tough,” Arkansas head coach Gordon Henderson said. “Unquestionably, we’ll come in as the underdogs. Ole Miss has been one of the leaders in the SEC for a long time and for good reason. We just need to go in and do the best job we can.”

Arkansas has been led the entire season by its defense which has been anchored by sophomore goalkeeper Carrie Dillsaver. Among the conference leaders in every statistical category, Dillsaver has kept opponents out of the Arkansas net at a record-setting pace matching Arkansas’ 1992 goals against through 11 matches which stands as the third best season in Arkansas’ 18-year history.

Offensively, the Lady Razorbacks have scored from all over the field, but on Friday night it was senior Jenni Brashear who took the team on her back. Brashear scored Arkansas’ first tally in the 13th minute, then assisted on the game winner in overtime to keep Arkansas’ conference record unblemished. Coupled with her forward running mate and reigning SEC Offensive Player of the Week Sarah Gwisdala and the Lady Razorbacks have a potent attack that leaves opposing defenses wondering.

Ole Miss enters Sunday’s action coming off a tough 2-1 loss to the feet of LSU and have dropped its last two SEC matches. At 1-2-0 on the season, Ole Miss’ preseason prediction of finishing first in the conference’s western division appears to be in jeopardy just three games into the conference schedule. Despite their outcomes though, Arkansas’ coaches know that the Rebels are a tough opponent and are not taking anything for granted.

“I don’t think that LSU’s win over Ole Miss was much of an upset,” Henderson said. “Certain teams have success against others and LSU holds a 5-4 series advantage against them. I think that the pressure for Ole Miss is that they are at home and to be successful in the SEC you have to win at home.”

The Arkansas-Ole Miss match is scheduled for a 1:00 p.m. kickoff in Oxford. For more information about Lady Razorback soccer or about Arkansas women’s athletics, please go to www.ladybacks.com.