Razorbacks Fall To Crimson Tide Late
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – After a late second half goal by Alabama broke a scoreless tie, the Arkansas women’s soccer team could not get some of its final efforts to find the back of the net, allowing the Crimson Tide to defeat the Razorbacks, 1-0, at Razorback Field.
Chloe Maize scored her second goal of the season for Alabama in the 74th minute of play, breaking up what had been a defensive stalemate to that point. After the score, Arkansas’ Kayla McKeon and Jessi Hartzler both got looks at the net in the final 20 minutes, but could not find the target to equalize the match.
With the loss, Arkansas falls to 8-8-1 overall and 3-4-1 in Southeastern Conference play. Alabama ups its record to 10-6-1 for the year and 2-5-1 in league play.
Arkansas recorded six shots in the match, four coming in the second half. Unfortunately, it was only able to get one shot on frame, which came from Reid Sibley in the 43rd minute off a throw in.
The first half was evenly paced from both sides with Arkansas getting multiple looks down the flanks from Parker Goins and Nayeli Perez. However, each time a Razorback cross came into the box, Alabama was there to clear it away.
Arkansas almost took the 1-0 lead into halftime after Goins’ throw in from the right pinballed around the box before Sibley was able to right-foot a shot near the right post. Unfortunately, Alabama keeper Kat Stratton was there to keep it in play.
After Alabama broke the stalemate with its 74th minute goal, the Razorbacks upped the pace and put relentless pressure on the Crimson Tide back line.
In the 80th minute, a Tori Cannata cross was perfectly placed in the middle of the box before it was cleared out of bounds by Alabama. Three minutes later, Stefani Doyle, from the same side, tried to cross a ball into the middle and McKeon was able to get a head on it, but was unable to put it on frame.
In the final 30 seconds, Arkansas’ last ditch effort came on a throw in from Goins. As the ball bounced around the box, it found Hartzler, who was falling down as the ball landed at her feet inside the eight-yard marker. Hartzler tried to put enough juice on a tap, but the ball squeaked just by the right post, unable to tie the match.
Up Next
Arkansas is back on the road for a match on Sunday at Kentucky. First kick is slated for 2 p.m. and will be televised on SEC Network+.
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