Soccer Opens Season Friday With Stephen F. Austin

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — It’s finally time for Arkansas soccer’s season opener on Friday, Aug. 21, as Stephen F. Austin visits Razorback Field. The Razorbacks went 1-0-1 in exhibition play and are ready to get the 2015 campaign started after two consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances.

WHAT’S AT STAKE?

The Razorbacks are 19-10-0 all-time in home-opening matches. They have won six consecutive home openers and are 12-2-0 since 2001.

ARKANSAS QUICK KICKS

• In the teams’ last meeting, the Razorbacks defeated the Lady Jacks, 4-2, in Austin, Texas. Ashleigh Ellenwood had a goal and added an assist in the win.
• The Razorbacks went 1-0-1 in exhibition play last week, defeating Oral Roberts 1-0 playing Mizzou to a 1-1 draw. Claire Kelley had assists on both of the goals.
• In the exhibition match at Oral Roberts, Alexandra “Sparky” Fischer netted the lone goal. Dee Dee Green had a primary assist.
• Goalkeepers Cameron Carter and Jordan Harris combined to allow only one goal in 180 minutes of action in the exhibition matches.
• In the Razorbacks’ annual Red vs. White intrasquad game on Aug. 6, Ashleigh Ellenwood scored two goals to lead the White team to a 3-0 win over the Red team.
• Assistant coach Kristi Kiely makes her debut on the Razorbacks’ sideline. She had been the head coach at her alma mater, Westmont College, since 2010.

SEC WATCH LIST

In lieu of a SEC Preseason Team, four Razorbacks were added to the Preseason SEC Watch List. All multiple-year starters and upperclassmen, look for these four to make significant impacts this season:

• Ashleigh Ellenwood
• Alexandra Fischer
• Claire Kelley
• Lindsey Mayo

TDS.com RECOGNIZES RAZORBACKS

In their preseason notes, TopDrawerSoccer.com recognized the Razorbacks’ Ashleigh Ellenwood. She’s featured among the best players in the conference and the country.

• No. 5 among top 20 in SEC
• No. 54 among top 100 upperclassmen

Here’s what TopDrawerSoccer.com had to say about the Razorbacks in the site’s 2015 SEC Preview:

“Under Colby Hale, Arkansas secured back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since 2009. And while 2014 didn’t quite reach the dizzying heights of 2013’s NCAA Tournament run, the Razorbacks seem poised to climb towards another winning season. The bulk of their offense returns, with attacking talent Ashleigh Ellenwood, Claire Kelley and Alexandra Fischer back after combining for 17 goals and 24 assists last season.”

RECORDS WATCH

• Ashleigh Ellenwood

ASSISTS
1. 26, Holly Collins (1997-2001)
2. 22, Ashleigh Ellenwood (2012—)
3. 17, Alexis Hyrup (1992-96)

GAME-WINNING GOALS
1. 11, Julie Williford (2000-03)
2. 9, Mary Howard (1987-90)
3. 8, Ashleigh Ellenwood (2012—)

GAME-TYING GOALS
1. 7, Ruthie Miller (1989-92)
2. 5, Ashleigh Ellenwood (2012—)

• Cameron Carter

WINS
1. 30, Britni WIlliams (2007-10)
2. 28, Carrie Dilsaver (2003-06)
T3. 24, Molly Myers (1989-92)
T3. 24, Kerri Reifel (1991-94)
5. 23, Cameron Carter (2013—)

SHUTOUTS
1. 28, Britni Williams (2007-10)
2. 17.5, Molly Myers (1989-92)
3. 17, Carrie Dilsaver (2003-06)
4. 13, Cameron Carter (2013—)
5. 12.5, Holly Smith (1993-96)

ATTENDANCE SOARING

• After averaging 981 fans per game in 2013, the Razorbacks attracted 1,359 supporters per contest in 2014. That equals an astounding 38.5-percent increase in average attendance.
• Those numbers were a 38.5-percent increase over 2013 and vaulted the Razorbacks up to 13th in the country for women’s soccer attendance.

2010-14 Average Attendance

• 2010: 766
• 2011: 904
• 2012: 841
• 2013: 981
• 2014: 1,359

2010-14 Total Attendance

• 2010: 5,365
• 2011: 8,135
• 2012: 9,255
• 2013: 10,786
• 2014: 12,231

UP NEXT

The Razorbacks cap the end of a back-to-back opening weekend against TCU on Sunday, Aug. 23 at 6 p.m. The team needs you there to break the attendance record of 2,268, set during last year’s 2-1 victory over Oklahoma St. on Aug. 24.