Soccer returns to Fayetteville

FAYETTEVILLE – The University of Arkansas Lady Razorback soccer team is coming off a weekend sweep on the road and returns to the friendly confines of Lady’Back Field in Fayetteville on Friday night when it faces Missouri State University beginning at 7:00 p.m.

The Lady Razorbacks opened the 2006 season against the Bears in Springfield, a match that ended in Missouri State’s favor on a goal in double overtime. After going up 1-0 on the Bears, Missouri State scored two unanswered goals before a free kick skimmed off the bottom of the crossbar and tied the game at two to force the extra periods.

“I’m looking forward to an exciting match between two quality teams,” Arkansas head coach Gordon Henderson said. “Missouri State is a good side that has aspirations of qualifying for the NCAA Tournament this year. This is going to be a great challenge for us and prepare us for the SEC.”

Arkansas enters Friday night’s match with a record of 5-2-0 on the year and is riding its second two-match winning streak of the season after a 6-0 drubbing of Louisiana Tech and an overtime thriller against Centenary. The Lady Razorbacks also have their sights set on the postseason and a quality win over Missouri State could go a long way to that goal.

The Bears are 4-3-0 on the year and were picked to finish well in the Missouri Valley Conference. An NCAA Tournament team just a few years ago, Missouri State has had a good start to the 2007 season. The Bears opened the season with a 2-0 victory over Western Michigan at home, a team that defeated Arkansas just two weeks ago, 1-0.

Over the years, Arkansas has had good success over Missouri State, but has struggled on in Springfield. The Lady’Backs are 6-2-0 against the border rival and are undefeated against the Bears at Lady’Back Field, going 5-0-0 since 1986.

For more information about Lady Razorback soccer or about Arkansas women’s athletics, please go to www.ladybacks.com.