Stephen F. Austin
Arkansas
SFA Falls to Arkansas in Season Opener
8/21/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Box Score
Arkansas 4, SFA 1 (PDF)
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - The Stephen F. Austin women's soccer team put a lot of positive things together in its 2015 season opener, but a pair of Arkansas goals early in the second half proved to be the difference in a 4-1 Razorback win on Friday night.
"Tonight is one of those nights where you reflect on the things you did well and the areas you need to improve upon, and ultimately I thought that for the few bright, creative and dynamic moments that we had, they were too few and far between," said head coach Wally Crittenden. "When you're playing a team with the depth and quality that Arkansas has, you have to make sure that the finer details are executed at a very high level. Tonight we didn't do that and it's something we will definitely work on.
"Some players had good moments tonight and some need to get back on the training ground and take advantage of opportunities to make corrections and improvements. I have no doubt that they will do just that. I trust this group and I have very little concern that they won't invest where they need to invest and make appropriate changes."
Ashton Norman scored the first goal of the season for SFA in the 87th minute, in what was a beautiful build up and finish in front of the net. Kelly Ann Craig collected a cross from Crystal Calvit near the right corner of the box and fired a shot at the far post. Razorback goalkeeper Cameron Carter was able to get a hand on Craig's shot but Norman was right there to drill the rebound into the right netting.
Rachel Owens started the scoring play for the Ladyjacks by beating her man down the left sideline, composing herself in the box and laying off a ball to Calvit. Craig was credited with her second career assist while Norman's goal marks the sixth of her career.
The Razorbacks created several scoring chances early in the opening half, but the Ladyjack back line held strong for the first 34 minutes. Arkansas finally broke through with a goal in the 35th minute off a corner kick. Claire Kelley poked it in after a scramble in the box.
Shortly after the opening goal, freshman Breanna Moore created SFA's best scoring opportunity of the period. The forward broke free down the middle of the field but had a shot blocked just inside the penalty area.
The score remained 1-0 in favor of the Hogs heading into the break. Redshirt sophomore keeper Lillie Ehlert kept SFA in the game with big plays between the pipes. She collected four saves overall in 45 minutes of action.
In the second half, Arkansas made it 2-0 with an unassisted goal by Reece Christopherson in the 54th minute. Gabriella DeLeon finished the scoring for the Razorbacks with two goals off headers in the 62nd and 71st minutes.
The Ladyjacks got great looks over the final 10 minutes, with Norman and Hailey Hunt each getting shots off down the stretch. Michaela Mencacci rolled a ball back to Hunt at the top of the 18 in the 82nd minute where Hunt sent a missile that screamed wide left. Norman got another shot on frame in the closing seconds after Mencacci played a square ball to her in the same location.
Freshman keeper Allyson Smith, who played the entire second half, notched two saves in her collegiate debut.
The Ladyjacks will be back in action next weekend in Baton Rouge, Louisiana where they will face Minnesota on Friday evening at 5:00 p.m. and Western Kentucky on Sunday at 11:00 a.m.
-SFA-
