VanFossen Named SEC Defensive Player of the Week
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Razorback Soccer sophomore defender Haley VanFossen was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Week Monday afternoon by the league office for her performances in Arkansas’ perfect weekend over No. 2 Texas A&M and Alabama.
VanFossen is the fourth different Razorback to earn a weekly award from the SEC, following Parker Goins (Week 4), Kayla McKeon (Week 3) and Carly Hoke (Week 1). The four player of the week nods is two more than any other team in the conference.
“I’m proud of Vanny,” Arkansas head coach Colby Hale said. “She’s been working hard and that growth showed this weekend. The backs have taken so much pride in growing as a group. We didn’t give up a goal in the run of play against two good attacking teams and Haley was a big part of that.”
Although both wins over the Aggies and Crimson Tide were complete defensive efforts, VanFossen was a key component in both matches as she played all 180 total minutes as Arkansas’ center back.
On Thursday in the 3-2 victory over previously unbeaten Texas A&M, VanFossen helped the Razorback defense limit the Aggies to only two shots on goal, neither coming in the run of play. The two shots on goal were the lowest total for Texas A&M in a match this season.
The win for the Razorbacks was the first over the Aggies since 1993 and snapped a 25-match unbeaten streak Texas A&M had coming into the match.
On Sunday, VanFossen led the back line to its second shutout of the season when it defeated the Crimson Tide, 1-0, in Tuscaloosa. It was the Razorbacks’ fourth win in their last seven road matches dating back to last season. All four wins have been by shutout.
In the match, the defense held Alabama to only one corner kick, marking the seventh time this year Arkansas has held its’ opponent to two corner kicks or less.
Up Next
The Razorbacks return home next week to take on Missouri at Razorback Field on Thursday, its’ only match of the week. First kick is slated for 6 p.m. and will be televised nationally on the SEC Network.
Tickets are available via the Razorback Ticket Office starting at $5 with kids 17 or younger getting in free. Fans can also still buy season tickets for $25 and will receive a free 2018 Razorback Soccer scarf with their purchase.
For more information on Razorback Soccer, follow @RazorbackSoccer on Twitter.
