FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas had already amassed 15 wins by the end of the regular season in 2016, matching its most wins ever in one year. But there was plenty left to achieve, starting with the SEC Tournament to kick off the postseason.
With 21 days until the start of the 2017 season, we’re taking a look back at the record-setting 2016 season that included a school-record 10 wins at Razorback Field, a top-five win over Duke, and the first home NCAA Regional match in program history.
This week, we’re taking a look back at Arkansas’ run through the SEC Tournament in which it won matches against Vanderbilt and Auburn to earn a spot in its first tournament final since 1996.
How It Happened
Arkansas’ eight conference wins leading up to the SEC Tournament were a program record, but after coming out victorious in two of the final five matches, the Razorbacks were needing some extra momentum if it wanted to make noise in the postseason.
First up, it was Vanderbilt in the quarterfinals.
Arkansas defeated the Commodores earlier in the year, 4-0, at Razorback Field, its second-largest margin of victory all season. Even with the good showing, the players and coaches knew the strength of the league was going to showcase itself in the tournament and that Vanderbilt was not going to make it easy the second time around.
The Razorbacks got the battle it expected, but found a way to win on a header from All-SEC player Claire Kelley in the 78th minute. It was Kelley’s eighth score of the season and gave Arkansas its first SEC Tournament win since 2013.
After the match, head coach Colby Hale called the team “winners” and praised the play of Kelley.
“It’s postseason, so at the end of the day, it’s win and advance. This team is a group of winners. They find ways to win. It was a fantastic ball from Sparky (Fischer) and an absolute class finish by Claire.”
Razorbacks Top Vanderbilt To Advance To Semifinals