Tough weekend concludes with 2-0 loss at Auburn

AUBURN, Ala. – The University of Arkansas Lady Razorback soccer team dropped its second consecutive match by a score of 2-0 on Sunday afternoon when it lost to Auburn Univ. in Auburn, Ala.

With the loss, Arkansas falls to 8-6-1 overall and 1-4-1 in Southeastern Conference play while Auburn improves to 9-3-1 and 5-1-0 in league action.

“I am very proud of these young women,” Arkansas head coach Gordon Henderson said. “I think that they showed a tremendous amount of heart in the face of some adversity. I think that I am most proud of the fact that they understand and believe how competitive they still are in the SEC. Next weekend looms very large for all teams involved.”

Playing shorthanded due to a rash of injuries and illness, the Lady Razorbacks were forced to start an unorthodox lineup for their Sunday afternoon tilt. Midfielders Sophie Wentz and Kathleen Paulsen were forced into defensive rolls throughout the course of the match and the Arkansas forwards were also shorthanded. The result was an Arkansas team that was able to hold its own against a possession oriented Auburn side, but failed to make much of a threat on the Tigers goal.

Auburn would score the game’s first goal in the 13th minute when a 20-yard shot from the middle of the pitch went careening off a player inside the box and snuck its way into the goal. Arkansas goalkeeper Britni Williams appeared to have the shot lined up and was ready to make a save on the long attempt, but after striking a body roughly 12 yards from goal was given no chance at the save despite her 5-11 frame.

The Lady Razorbacks would settle after the goal and get several good looks at the Auburn net in the remaining minutes of the half, but each shot would be blocked or saved.

A 1-0 game at the half, the Lady’Backs started the second 45 minutes with a new look on the field and took the action to the Tigers for several minutes before Auburn began to counter the Arkansas changes. The 1-0 stalemate would continue until the 59th minute of play when Auburn would go up by two. The Tigers second score would come on a shot that skimmed off the turf and bounced awkwardly at Williams before going into the net.

The Lady Razorbacks are back in action next Friday night when they travel to Lexington, Ky., to take on the Kentucky Wildcats. For more information about Lady Razorback soccer or about Arkansas women’s athletics, please go to www.ladybacks.com.