ORANGE BEACH, Ala. – The ninth-seeded Arkansas women’s soccer team will open the 2014 SEC Soccer Tournament on Monday, Nov. 3 with a match up with the No. 8 seed Georgia at the Orange Beach Sportsplex in Orange Beach, Ala. The game is set to kickoff at 6 p.m. CT and will be broadcast live on the SEC Network.
| GAME INFORMATION | ||
|---|---|---|
GAME | No. 9 Arkansas (8-6-5, 4-4-3 SEC) vs. No. 8 Georgia (10-6-1, 5-5-1 SEC) | |
DATE/TIME | Nov. 3, 2014 | 6 p.m. CT | |
VENUE | Orange Beach Sportsplex | Orange Beach, Ala. | |
LIVE STATS | SECSports.com | |
TV | SEC Network | |
VIDEO | SEC Network+, ESPN3.com, WatchESPN App | |
TALENT | John Yardley (P-B-P), Cat Whitehill (Analyst) | |
LAST MEETING | Oct. 27, 2013 | Georgia 1, Arkansas 0 (Fayetteville, Ark.) | |
SOCIAL | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | |
Following the SEC Tournament, the Razorbacks will await their NCAA Tournament fate when the field of 64 is announced on Monday, Nov. 10 at 3:30 p.m. CT on NCAA.com.
NATIONAL TV (SEC NETWORK INFORMATION | SEC NETWORK CHANNEL FINDER)
The U of A’s first round matchup against No. 8 Georgia will be broadcast live on national TV. The match will be shown on SEC Network and streamed through ESPN3.com and the WatchESPN app.
John Yardley and Cat Whitehill will call the action from the Orange Beach Sportsplex.
SEC TOURNAMENT
Arkansas will battle the Bulldogs in Monday’s first round at 6 p.m. CT in a contest that will be broadcast nationally on the SEC Network. Georgia, along with South Carolina, is one of two teams the Razorbacks did not face during the 2014 conference slate. The SEC Tournament is set for Nov. 3-9 at the Orange Beach Sportsplex in Orange Beach, Ala.
The quarterfinal matches will be played on Wednesday, Nov. 5, the semifinals on Friday, Nov. 7 and the title game on Sunday, Nov. 9. Early round games will be broadcast on the SEC Network, with the championship match to air on ESPNU Sunday at 2 p.m. CT.
The winner of the conference tournament secures an automatic bid into the NCAA Championships.
KNOW YOUR OPPONENT | GEORGIA
- The Hogs are 1-0-0 vs. Georgia in postseason play, defeating the Bulldogs, 3-1, in the 1996 SEC Championships in Lexington, Ky.
- In their last meeting, Georgia defeated the Razorbacks, 1-0, on Oct. 27, 2013 in Fayetteville.
- The last Razorback win over Georgia came back on Oct. 6, 2006 when Arkansas picked up the 2-1 victory in Athens, Ga.
- The Bulldogs are making their ninth trip to the SEC Tournament in the last 10 seasons and 16th overall appearance.
- Georgia’s record in the conference tournament is 10-15-1, with three trips to the finals - most recently in 2008.
- The Arkansas women’s soccer team wrapped up the 2014 regular season with a 2-1 loss to the Tigers of Missouri on Thursday night.
- The scoreless match was broken in the 28th minute when Taylor Grant tallied her seventh goal of the season to give the home team a 1-0 lead. Kaysie Clark found Grant, who then dribbled up to the top of the box and sent a shot into the upper right corner of the net for Grant's team-leading seventh goal of the season.
- After a header from Grant nearly gave the Tigers a 2-0 lead early in the second half, the Razorbacks blasted home their own chance in for a 1-1 game in the 55th minute. Sophomore Alexandra Fischer sent a well-placed shot into the corner of the net off a pass from junior Ashleigh Ellenwood for the equalizer.
- The goal was Fischer’s sixth of the season.
- Mizzou responded by earning three corners in seven minutes midway through the second frame. On the third corner in the 74th minute, Savannah Trujillo lofted the ball 10-yards in front of the net. Lauren Selaiden got her foot on the pass and one-timed a shot toward the lower left corner of the goal. Her attempt got through traffic and trickled over the goal line to give Missouri a 2-1 lead with 17 minutes left in regulation.
- A last-minute push from Arkansas had them with a near breakaway in the final seconds but Ellenwood's long shot with one second remaining flew high.
- The Tigers outshot the Razorbacks 17-13 and held a 5-3 edge in shots on goal on the night.
- Arkansas’ record in the Colby Hale era is 32-24-6.
- In 35 SEC games under Hale, the Razorbacks are 15-16-4.
- Arkansas is 60-127-17 all-time in SEC games.
- Arkansas will be playing in its third straight SEC Tournament, which marks the first time in school history they’ve qualified for three straight SEC Tournaments.
- The Razorbacks are 5-9 all-time in the SEC Tournament.
- Under Hale, Arkansas is 1-2 in three SEC Tournament games.
- Arkansas went 1-1 in last year’s tournament, defeating No. 9 seed Missouri, 4-0, in the first round before losing to top-seeded Florida, 1-0, in the quarterfinals.
- This season marks the second straight year Arkansas will play in the 8/9 first round matchup. They defeated No. 9 seed Missouri, 4-0, last year.
- SEC Stats | SEC Standings
- Arkansas did not receive votes in either of last week’s Top 25 Polls.
- Arkansas was ranked No. 9 for the second consecutive week in the NSCAA NCAA Division I - South Poll, behind Texas A&M, Florida, South Carolina, Kentucky, Auburn, Georgia, Missouri and Alabama.
- Click HERE to view this week’s NSCAA/Continental Tire NCAA Division I - South Poll.
- The Razorbacks are ranked in the top 100 in four categories:
- Total Assists – 27th
- Assists Per Game – 32nd
- Total Points – 55th
- Points Per Game – 66th
- Total Goals – 83rd
- Scoring Offense – 96th
- Ashleigh Ellenwood, Claire Kelley, Tyler Allen and Cameron Carter are each ranked in the top 100 in at least one individual statistic.
- Ellenwood is ranked 8th in total assists, 9th in assists per game and 84th in total points.
- Kelley is ranked 58th in total assists and 81st in assists per game.
- Allen is ranked 94th in total assists.
- Carter is ranked 6th in goalie minutes played and 57th in total saves.
The latest RPI rankings of the 2014 season was released Monday afternoon (Oct. 27) on NCAA.com (games played thru Oct. 27). The Razorbacks fell one spot from last week and are ranked No. 36. Arkansas is also one of eight SEC teams in the top 40.
- Click HERE to view this week’s NCAA Division I Women’s RPI.
9. Florida
11. South Carolina
22. Kentucky
27. Auburn
34. Missouri
36. Arkansas
38. Georgia
@RAZORBACKSOCCER PLAYER NOTES
- Junior Ashleigh Ellenwood has 71 career points to put her in fourth place on the school’s all-time points list.
- Ellenwood has 21 career assists, putting her within five assists of the program record held by Holly Collins (26; 1997-01).
- Ellenwood has already set the school’s single-season assist record this season with her 13 assists.
- On Sunday (Nov. 2), Ellenwood was named to the College Sports Madness All-SEC first team.
- Click HERE to view the CSM All-SEC teams.
- Senior Tyler Allen needs just one more appearance to set Arkansas’ all-time games played record. She is currently tied for first place with 80 appearances.
- Allen needs just one more assist to break a third-place tie with Alexis Hyrup (17; 1992-96)
- Sophomore Alexandra Fischer leads the team in goals this season with six.
Goals
1. 44, Julie Williford (2000-03)
2. 38, Ruthie Miller (1989-92)
3. 35, Mary Howard (1987-90)
4. 29, Christina Burger (2003-06)
5. 25, ASHLEIGH ELLENWOOD (2012-present)
5. 25, Brittany Burns (1995-98)
7. 24, Heather Cato (1996-99)
8. 20, Jessica Fraser (1997-98)
Assists
1. 26, Holly Collins (1997-01)
2. 21, ASHLEIGH ELLENWOOD (2012-present)
3. 17, Alexis Hyrup (1992-96)
3. 17, TYLER ALLEN (2011-present)
5. 16, Abbey Wilburn (2005-08)
5. 16, Brittany Burns (1995-98)
5. 16, Honey Marsh (1991-94)
5. 16, Kit Carson (1990-93)
5. 16, Ruthie Miller (1989-92)
10. 15, Julie Williford (2000-03)
11. 14, Andie Hickman (1993-96)
12. 13, Nicole Bynum (1996-99)
Just out of the top 10:
10, JERIANN OKORO (2011-present)
Points
1. 103, Julie Williford (2000-03)
2. 92, Ruthie Miller (1989-92)
3. 81, Mary Howard (1987-90)
4. 71, ASHLEIGH ELLENWOOD (2012-present)
5. 69, Christina Burger (2003-06)
6. 66, Brittany Burns (1995-98)
POSTSEASON HONORS
Junior Ashleigh Ellenwood has picked up a pair of postseason honors so far. On Thursday, Oct. 30, she was named to the CoSDIA Capital One Academic All-District 6 First Team and on Sunday, Nov. 2, she earned a spot on the College Sports Madness All-SEC First Team.
TDS TOP 100 UPPERCLASSMEN & FRESHMEN
Junior Ashleigh Ellenwood and freshmen Nicole Ortega and Jessi Hartzler were named among Top Drawer Soccer's Midseason Women's National Top 100 Upperclassmen and Freshmen. Ellenwood, who clocked in at the No. 54 spot on the Preseason list, was No. 47 on the Midseason list.
Rookies Hartzler and Ortega were ranked 52nd and 92nd, respectively.
- Click HERE to view the TDS Women’s National Top 100 List.
- Click HERE to view the TDS Women’s Freshmen Top 100 List
The Razorbacks have arguably one of the best home-field advantages in country. Averaging 1,359 fans per home contest, the Razorbacks rank fourth in the SEC in average home attendance.
1. Texas A&M – 2,916/gm
2. South Carolina – 2,805/gm
3. Georgia – 1,736/gm
4. Arkansas – 1,359/gm
5. Tennessee – 1,278/gm
THANK YOU #RAZORBACKNATION
The 2014 season has been a great one for the Razorbacks, not only on the field, but also in the stands, as a program record 12,231 fans came out to support the women’s soccer team at Razorback Field this year. This season’s total turnout and average game crowd (1,359) continues a rise in attendance that dates back to the 2010 season.
There were many attendance records broken at Razorback Field this season:
- In just the second game of the season, the program set a new single-game attendance record, as 2,268 fans witnessed a 2-1 win over Oklahoma State.
- Over 1,000 fans were in attendance in eight of the nine games at Razorback Field this season. The lone exception came on Sept. 12 vs. Rice, where 900 people were in the stands.
- Four of this season’s crowds (Utah State, Oklahoma State, Kentucky, Texas A&M) cracked the top 10 for single-game attendance in Razorback Field history.
- Seven of this season’s crowds (Utah State, Oklahoma State, Kentucky, Texas A&M, Missouri State, Auburn, Florida) broke into the top 15 for single-game attendance in Razorback Field history.
- 2010: 5,365
- 2011: 8,135
- 2012: 9,255
- 2013: 10,786
- 2014: 12,231
- 2010: 766
- 2011: 904
- 2012: 841
- 2013: 981
- 2014: 1,359
In Arkansas’ 2-1 exhibition win over Creighton on Aug. 14, Tyler Allen’s 40-yard free kick goal in the 65th minute proved to be the game-winner. After a Creighton foul, Allen stepped up for a Razorback free kick and delivered a perfectly struck ball 40-yards down field that landed in left-hand side of the goal to break a 1-1 deadlock. Allen’s goal helped Arkansas pick up a victory in a contest they statistically dominated.
Her incredible goal came in at No. 6 on the SportsCenter Top 10 that night.
On Sept. 19, Allen found herself in a similar situation. Just four minutes into the second overtime, Kentucky committed a seemingly harmless foul 35-yards out from the goal. Allen, a free kick specialist, stepped up and delivered te ball from long distance into the upper left corner of the goal to give Arkansas its first win in a SEC opener since the 2011 season.
That night Allen made the SportsCenter Top 10 for the second time this season, this time at No. 5.
THE 2014 EDITION OF @RAZORBACKSOCCER
The Razorbacks are coming off a record-setting 2013 season that saw the team collect the most regular season wins in school history (15) and the programs first-ever NCAA Tournament victory. Arkansas will look to improve on those achievements this year as they enter one of the most anticipated seasons in program history.
Arkansas returns 20 players that accounted for 102 of the team’s 136 points from a team that went 15-8-1 and 5-6 in Southeastern Conference play. Of the 12 different players that scored a goal last year, eight return to make up 82 percent (36-of-44) of the goals.
DUO NAMED TO THE COLLEGE SPORTS MADNESS PRESEASON TEAM
Forward Ashleigh Ellenwood and defender Kaylyn Cooper were named to the College Sports Madness SEC Soccer Preseason All-Conference Teams.
Ellenwood, who earned All-SEC second team honors last season, was named to the first-team preseason all-conference squad. Cooper, an anchor of the Arkansas backline that registered five shutouts last season, earned a spot on the second team.
NATIONAL PRESEASON POLLS
The Razorbacks were ranked No. 23 in the 2014 TopDrawerSoccer.com Preseason Poll that was announced on Monday, Aug. 11. The Razorbacks were one of four SEC squads ranked in the Top 25 along with No. 4 Texas A&M, No. 5 Florida and No. 9 South Carolina.
Arkansas, one of seven SEC programs to at least receive votes in the NSCAA preseason top 25 poll, will face four opponents ranked in the TopDrawerSoccer.com Preseason Poll in No. 4 Texas A&M, No. 5 Florida, No. 8 North Carolina and No. 12 Duke. The Gators and the Aggies will both battle the Razorbacks at Razorback Field this season.
PRESEASON SEC POLL
With 20 letterwinners, including eight starters, returning from last year’s NCAA Sweet Sixteen squad, the Arkansas women’s soccer team was tabbed eighth in the SEC Preseason Coaches’ Poll, announced by the league office on Monday, Aug. 11.
LOVE FROM TOPDRAWERSOCCER.COM
In TopDrawerSoccer.com’s SEC preseason preview, the outlet highlighted Arkansas.
Here’s what they had to say about head coach Colby Hale and his Razorbacks:
“It was a breakout campaign for head coach Colby Hale and the Razorbacks, winning the program’s first-ever NCAA tournament game, advancing all the way to the third round before bowing out to Duke on penalty kicks. Forward Ashleigh Ellenwood, whose play in 2013 helped her earn a call-up to a U.S. U23 WNT camp, looks to lead the program’s encore, as they continue to climb the regular season conference standings. In all, eight of the team’s starters from last year’s squad are back, including Jeriann Okoro, Tyler Allen and Claire Kelley.”
U-23 US NATIONAL TEAM CAMP
Ashleigh Ellenwood got an early jump on her preparation for the 2014 campaign when she participated in the U.S. Under-23 Women’s National Team Domestic Training Camp from July 15-22 in Seattle, Wash.
A total of 24 players that were either current collegiate athletes or just played their senior season last fall made up the roster that will be led by head coach Steve Swanson over the seven days.
2013 #RAZORFACT TO REMEMBER
Arkansas’ record-setting 2013 started in style, as it opened with seven straight wins to find its way into the top 25 for the first time in program history. Over the opening seven games of last year, the Razorbacks out-scored their opponents 15-5 while coming away three overtime victories.
For more information on Arkansas soccer, follow @RazorbackSoccer on Twitter.