Wins keep coming for soccer Lady'Backs cage Tigers

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Freshman Kim Schleif scored in the 83rd minute to lead the University of Arkansas Lady Razorback soccer team to a hard fought 1-0 victory against the University of Memphis in Memphis, Tenn., on yet another historic day for Lady Razorback goalkeeper Carrie Dillsaver who set the Arkansas records for games started and wins.

The win improves the Lady Razorbacks to 7-1-0 on the season while Memphis falls to 3-4-0. Dillsaver notched her 25th career win and 62nd start to set Lady Razorback records. Arkansas’ win also extends its school record winning streak to seven matches and continues the team’s best start in school history.

“I’m very pleased with the win,” Arkansas head coach Gordon Henderson said. “It was a magnificent win especially considering that we had a lot going against us between the weather, wind and being away from home. Memphis is a school that has given other SEC teams fits this year so to come out with a well deserved win in a game that was as even as it could be was nice.”

With just 7:33 to go in the contest, the Lady Razorbacks struck first when Schleif scored her third goal of the season. Arkansas dominated possession of the ball for several minutes before the opportunity struck allowing Christina Burger to take the ball down the right side of the field near the corner flag. Sending a cross along the turf to the far side of the goal, Schleif took a touch and lobbed a shot into the goal to put Arkansas ahead.

Up by one, Memphis immediately sent bodies forward and began to control the tempo of the match. With just over two minutes to go, the Tigers nearly got the game’s equalizer when a header from Kylee Hayes went high into the air and toward the goal. Having to back peddle into the goal, Dillsaver leaped and knocked the ball into the crossbar where it then fell in front of the goal and was cleared by Sarah Gwisdala.

“Defensively, we had a great game,” Henderson said. “Except for Dillsaver’s save, I can’t think of a time that she was pressured. Our back line did a tremendous job of keeping them in check and forcing them to take shots from a distance.”

The Lady Razorbacks got off to a fast start stealing the opening kickoff and taking it straight down the field for a shot. Forward pressure by Christina Burger and Sophie Wentz led to the Memphis miscue giving Burger a shot from 18 yards that was saved and pushed out of bounds for a corner kick.

Following the opening push by the Lady Razorbacks, the game went into a stalemate at midfield as neither team was able to mount much offense. Several shots were taken, but none forced either goalkeeper to make a tough save.

A late substitution by Henderson brought junior Alison Harter into the match and the Fayetteville native was an instant spark. Winning several balls for the Lady’Backs Harter found herself free for a one-on-one with the Memphis goalkeeper with 14 minutes to go in the half. As Harter charged down the field, the Memphis keeper cut down the angle and made a diving save on Harter’s shot. The rebound came straight back to Harter, but she was unable to get a second shot off on goal and the ball sailed high and wide.

The Lady Razorbacks are back in action on Friday night when they open Southeastern Conference play at Lady’Back Field against the Kentucky Wildcats. For more information about Lady Razorback soccer or about Arkansas women’s athletics, please go to LADYBACKS.COM.