Soccer Advances to Fourth Sweet 16 in Program History

FAYETTEVILLE – Arkansas women’s soccer, the 2-seed in the NCAA Tournament, took down California, 1-0, to advance to the program’s third Sweet 16 in the last four tournaments and the fourth Sweet 16 berth overall.

The Hogs (16-2-2) just needed one goal to get the job done via sophomore Bella Field’s fifth career NCAA Tournament goal. Makenzie Malham made it happen with a perfect pass as Field made a run into the six-yard box. Field lept and connected with her left shin for her fifth career game-winner. Cal goalkeeper Teagan Wy got a hand on the shot and redirected it into the upper back of the net.

Freshman keeper Keegan Smith picked her second straight NCAA Tournament shutout and her 11th of the season with two saves on the night. The squad has notched 13 clean sheets for the season and hasn’t allowed a goal in five of their last six matches. The defensive third also held ACC Player of the Year Karlie Lema, (16g, 3a) t0 just one shot in the full 90 minutes.

Arkansas will face 3-seed No. 14 Stanford on Sunday, Nov. 24 for a trip to the Elite 8. Kick-off from Razorback Field is set for 6 p.m. and the match will be streamed live on ESPN+ with Josh Haley (play-by-play) and Kelly Roliard (analyst) on the call.

The Cardinal (15-4-1) surged with two goals in the final five minutes of their Round of 32 match with UConn and finished off the Huskies with 32 seconds left.

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