Fuller Birch
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Second-seeded Arkansas soccer advanced to the second round of the NCAA Women’s Soccer Tournament after defeating Northwestern State, 5-1. Five different Hogs scored, giving the Razorbacks their eighth tournament win in school history.
With the victory, Razorback Field will host the second and third rounds for the first time in program history.
How it Happened
The Razorbacks got things going in the fourth minute after a quick strike from senior Taylor Malham. The bang-bang goal was scored after sophomore Emilee Hauser picked the ball up inside the 18-yard box, where she sent a pass for Malham in the middle of the box. The pass linked with Malham’s right foot for the score.
Hauser doubled Arkansas’ lead in the 19th minute. She fired a shot that was sent back out to her after a header from a Demon defender, then fired again to net her first goal of the season.
The Hogs struck again four minutes later after senior Parker Goins sent a cross from the far side that found the head of forward Anna Podojil for her 14th goal of the season.
The fourth and final goal of the first half was scored off the foot of sophomore Ava Tankersley for her fifth goal of the season. A blocked shot by Sophia Aragon found Tankersley near the penalty spot where she turned and fired into the lower right part of the net.
The Demons got on the board in the 54th minute after defender Nicole Henry assisted her twin sister Natalee for Natalee’s fifth goal of the year.
The final goal of the night was scored by freshman Van Fitch in the 71st minute. Senior Kayla McKeon took a free kick near midfield that found the head of an NSU defender inside the penalty box. After a quick back-and-forth, Fitch picked up the ball in the middle of the six-yard box, shooting it off of her left foot for the fourth of her career.
Arkansas finished the match outshooting the Demons 27-2.
Here it from Coach Hale
“Survive and advance is the motto of the postseason. Making it to the conference tournament finals is a tough week with four matches in nine days. We got some players some much-needed rest. We will clean some things up and get ready for a good Virginia Tech team.”
Next Time Out
The Razorbacks will face Virginia Tech in the second round, set for Friday, Nov. 19 at Razorback Field with the time and network to be determined.
Tickets for the second and third round games can be purchased here.