Razorback Soccer Starts Season 2-0

FAYETTEVILLE – The University of Arkansas Razorback soccer team scored three goals in just over 100 minutes of play. Sophomore Ashleigh Ellenwood picked up a golden goal off of her head in the 101st minute to lift the Razorbacks (2-0) over the SMU Mustangs (1-1) in the second overtime.

“It was a pretty typical Sunday game,” head coach Colby Hale said. “It was a grind, it was back and forth. We scored three goals and even had a couple called back on offsides but we were pleased with the effort. No one is going to outwork us, no one is going to out grind us, no one is going to out fight us. We know this is who we are and anyone who comes to play us is going to have to put up a full 110 minutes.”

After a quiet first 45 minutes of play from both sides, both the Arkansas and SMU offenses erupted to score a total of five goals in the second half and overtime. The Razorbacks picked up 13 shots with 8 on goal while out shooting the mustangs in both categories with SMU tallying 11 shots and 6 on goal.

SMU would start the scoring in the match when junior Shelby Redmman scored in the first minute of the second half. However, Arkansas would respond with two goals of its own to make the score 2-1. Junior Jeriann Okoro found the back of the net in the 60th minute off of the assist from junior Allie Tripp at midfield. Later in the half, senior Taylor Green would score on a penalty kick after a foul in the box from SMU. Not but twenty seconds later, SMU would quickly tie the match with 20 minutes remaining in the second half.

“Before we went into overtime we talked about grinding out the rest of the game and leaving everything out on the field,” Okoro said. “We knew we needed to work hard, and the team that was going to work the hardest was going to win. I am proud of all of my teammates and we all really worked hard for the win.”

In the first overtime, SMU would put up one shot attempt but could not find the back of the net. The Razorbacks would have a few chances but could not find the goal and force a second overtime period.

Just one minute into the second overtime, Ellenwood had the chance for a one-on-one opportunity with a breakaway but was pulled down from behind by an SMU player for which she was awarded a yellow card. Arkansas would get the chance to run a set piece from thirty yards out where Tripp lofted the ball into the box where Ellenwood connected with her head to score the golden goal and pick up the second win on the season.

The Razorbacks return to action on Friday Aug. 30, to play host to St. Louis. The match is scheduled for a 7 p.m. (CT) kickoff at Razorback Field.