Razorback Soccer Announces Spring Schedule

Courtesy University of Arkansas Athletics Department

University of Arkansas head soccer coach Colby Hale announced the 2013 Razorback spring soccer scheduled today.

“I’m looking forward to this spring,” Hale said. “The players have really done a good job of creating an identity for themselves. It fits us as a group and we will use this time to further imprint what that looks like in all areas of the program. The reports back from the strength and conditioning staff are very positive and the little bit we have been on the ball has been productive.”

The Razorbacks play seven matches, including two home contests, this spring. The exhibition schedule opens March 2, when Arkansas hosts Oklahoma at Razorback Field. The Sooners are coming off a 7-9-4 season with a 3-3-2 mark in Big 12 play last fall.

The Razorbacks continue training before a road match in Tulsa, Okla., when Arkansas takes on Tulsa and ORU March 30.

The Golden Hurricane was 12-6-4 last season and reached the finals of the Conference USA Tournament. ORU went 12-7-2 in the fall, reaching the second round of the Southland Conference Tournament.

As the calendar turns to April, Arkansas hosts an Alumni Match welcoming back several former Razorback student-athletes. The Alumni Match on April 13 serves as a tune up for April 14, when the Razorbacks host Memphis for a match at Bryant High School in Little Rock, Ark.

The Tigers won five consecutive Conference USA titles prior to last season and played to a 10-8-1 record in the fall. 

The spring season concludes with a double-header April 27 in Lawrence, Kan., where the Razorbacks face UMKC and the host Jayhawks. The ‘Roos were 6-9-4 last year while Kansas finished 10-8-2 in the fall. 

“We set up matches that would allow us to compete at a level that would ultimately prepare us for the fall,” Hale said. “There are some really good teams in the mix and it will give some of the players vying for different roles to show in match-like situations that they are ready for that. It’s a really good group and I think they are excited to build on what they were able to accomplish in the fall.”