@RazorbackSoccer Upsets Oklahoma 3-2 In Overtime

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NORMAN, Okla. – The Arkansas women’s soccer team picked up a thrilling 3-2 overtime victory over the Sooners of Oklahoma in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday night at the OU Soccer Complex.

With the win, the Razorbacks improve to 9-6-6 overall and advance to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, while the Sooners end the 2014 season with a 10-9-4 record. Arkansas will now play Stanford on Nov. 21 (7 p.m. PT) in Stanford, Calif. in the Round of 32. The Cardinal defeated Cal State Fullerton 5-2 on Friday night.

The scoreless match was broken in the fifth minute when Rachael Ressler tallied her third goal of the season to give the home team a 1-0 lead. Abby Hodger found Ressler, who blasted a shot from the edge of the box that found the back of the net.

The Sooners added to their lead in the 16th minute, when Chelsea Jackson put away her third score of the year. Hodgen took a shot, but it was blocked, and the deflection found the feet of Jackson who snuck a shot past Arkansas’ sophomore keeper Cameron Carter to give Oklahoma the 2-0 lead.

The Razorbacks pick up a score right before the end of the first half. In the 44th minute, sophomore Gabriella DeLeon recorded her first score of her collegiate career after tapping home a deflection off the OU goalkeeper.

Arkansas tied things up early into the second half. A great toss from junior Ashleigh Ellenwood off a throw-in found the head of sophomore Claire Kelley, who flicked it past the diving OU goalkeeper. The goal was Kelley’s sixth of the season and the eighth of her career. Ellenwood’s assist gives her 14 on the season, increasing her Arkansas single-season assist record and giving her 22 career helpers, which is just four behind U of A record-holder Holly Collins (26; 1997-2001).

The Razorbacks nearly took the lead in the 62nd minute. Kelley sent in a great ball off a free kick and Ellenwood smashed a header into the net to give Arkansas what they thought was a goal that gave them a 3-2 advantage. To the surprise of the Razorbacks, Ellenwood was called offsides.

The teams would battle over the final 28 minutes of the half and head into overtime.

It would take the Razorbacks less than two minutes to end things in overtime. After a mad scramble with multiple shots in front of the net, DeLeon knocked a shot on frame that crossed the goal line before the OU keeper was able to grab it. There was tons of confusion on the field and after a quick meeting, the officials gave Arkansas the goal and the contest ended.

For more information on Arkansas soccer, follow @RazorbackSoccer on Twitter.

POSTGAME NOTES

  • Tonight was the 10th overtime game for Arkansas this season
    • The Razorbacks are 3-1-6 in OT games this season
  • The Razorbacks picked up their first win over Oklahoma in program history
    • Arkansas is now 1-7 all-time vs. OU
    • The Sooners are now 3-1 vs. the Razorbacks in Norman
  • Arkansas’ record in the Colby Hale era is 33-24-6.
  • This year’s NCAA Tournament bid marks the second straight appearance for the Razorbacks.
  • Hale has led Arkansas to their only NCAA appearances. (2013, 2014).
  • The Razorbacks are now 3-1 all-time in NCAA Tournament games, defeating both Oklahoma State (2-1) and St. John’s (1-0) before losing at Duke (2-2; 4-3 PK) in the Sweet 16 in last year’s tournament.
  • Arkansas is 2-0 in NCAA Tournament games against the Big 12 conference.
  • The Razorbacks are 2-1 in true NCAA Tournament road contests.
  • Arkansas is 3-2-4 in true road games this season.
  • Under Hale, Arkansas is 10-11-3 in true road games.
  • Arkansas is now 2-0-1 against Big 12 teams this season, defeating Oklahoma State (2-1) in Fayetteville and tying Texas (0-0) in Austin.