Robinson sends Hogs to SEC Tournament Semifinals with Late Goal
PENSACOLA, Fla. – No. 5 Arkansas soccer (14-1-2) advanced to the SEC Tournament semifinals for the eighth time in the last nine events after freshman Anaiyah Robinson netted a late goal to beat 7-seed Georgia, 1-0.
The Hogs, the 2-seed, will face 3-seed No. 22 Texas on Thursday, Nov. 7 at 6 p.m. CT. The match will air on SEC Network with Mike Watts (play-by-play) and Jill Loyden (analyst) on the call.
How it Happened
The first half featured strong efforts from both team’s goalkeepers. Georgia’s Jordan Brown made three saves and Arkansas’ Keegan Smith made two, including a diving save from point-blank range to keep the match scoreless.
The Hogs outshot the Bulldogs, 8-3, in the first half despite not finding the back of the net.
The second 45 minutes featured much of the same chaos in both team’s 18-yard boxes, with Arkansas controlling more of the possession.
Smith came up big once again, with 17 minutes remaining after a ball was crossed in and redirected by Bulldog defender Maddie Baker. Smith left her feet and dove to her right and denied Georgia a late one-goal lead.
The Razorbacks finally converted a chance in the 82nd minute after a shot at the top of the penalty box from forward Sophia Aragon hit midfielder Kennedy Ball on the ground. The ball deflected into open space and Robinson took a right-footed touch for her third game-winner of the season.
The Hogs finished the match ahead in shots, 19-7. The two teams faced off in last year’s SEC Tournament championship game, where Georgia defeated Arkansas, 1-0.
The Hogs and Longhorns met previously this season in Austin, where Arkansas picked up a 4-3 win in a back-and-forth match.
For more information on Arkansas soccer, follow @RazorbackSoccer on social media.