Sunday, September 4
Fayetteville, Ark.
1 pm ET
Michigan State University
4-1-1, 0-0-0
0
at
1
Arkansas
4-1-0, 0-0-0
1
2
F
Michigan St.
0
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Arkansas
0
1
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Spartans Fall to No. 11 Razorbacks on the Road
9/4/2022 3:56:00 PM | Women's Soccer
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Michigan State women's soccer fell for the first time in the 2022 season Sunday afternoon, as the Spartans battled closely with No. 11 Arkansas but failed to register a second-half equalizer in a 1-0 defeat on Razorback Field.
The Spartans fall to 4-1-1 overall through the first six contests of the year and come up short in the first-ever meeting between Michigan State and Arkansas in women's soccer. The Razorbacks climb to 4-1 on the year, with their only loss coming in their season opener to nationally-ranked Saint Louis.
Graduate defender Samantha White led the way in the box score for MSU with a trio of shot attempts, while sophomore forward Jordyn Wickes put a pair of shots on target in the game. Both sides played to six corner kicks apiece, while Arkansas edged Michigan State in shots (19-12) and shots on goal (9-3).
The Spartans weathered Arkansas' talented front line early in the first half, with senior goalkeeper Lauren Kozal booking her first save of the game and sparking an MSU attack that put up a shot and a pair of corner kicks in the first 15 minutes. The Green & White stood tall on the back line against an aggressive Razorback attack, blocking several shots in addition to a trio of saves by Kozal through the 27th.
MSU and Arkansas exchanged possessions, with both sides notching solid scoring chances, but defensive effort won out as the score remained knotted at nil heading into halftime.
A breakaway opportunity sparked by graduate midfielder Celia Gaynor in the middle third brought the action down the field for MSU, but the Arkansas defense recovered to keep things deadlocked through the 53rd minute of action. Physicality and aggressive play was the hallmark of the second 45, as the Razorbacks added multiple fouls and had a pair of players saddled with yellow cards. A pair of corner kicks and a spectacular squared away shot by senior defender Bria Schrotenboer gave the Spartans their best opportunity of the afternoon, but the attempt drifted wide right outside the post.
Arkansas responded with an offensive charge downfield in the 77th minute, and a Spartan foul about 35 yards out led to a free kick by Razorback Ava Tankersley. Her attempt drifted into a crowded box and found Bea Franklin, whose header sailed past Kozal for the icebreaker.
The Green & White attempted to mount a comeback, notching a pair of shots and maintaining possession for most of the time remaining, but ultimately dropped its first contest in six games played.
Kozal put up one of her most dominant outings of the season against the Razorbacks, saving eight shots in the full 90 minutes she manned the goal. Arkansas' Grace Barbara also went full time and turned back a trio of MSU shots on goal, while logging the winning decision.
SCORING SUMMARY
77' – An MSU foul about 35 yards out led to a free kick by Tankersley. Her attempt drifted into a crowded box and found Franklin, whose header sailed in for the icebreaker. ARK 1, MSU 0
UP NEXT
Michigan State women's soccer returns to the friendly confines of Old College Field at DeMartin Stadium, as the Spartans play host to the Oakland Golden Grizzlies in a 7 p.m. kick on Thursday, Sept. 8.
FOLLOW THE SPARTANS
Visit MSUSpartans.com for more information on Michigan State women's soccer. Fans can keep up to date with the Spartan women's soccer team on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter by following @MSU_WSoccer.
The Spartans fall to 4-1-1 overall through the first six contests of the year and come up short in the first-ever meeting between Michigan State and Arkansas in women's soccer. The Razorbacks climb to 4-1 on the year, with their only loss coming in their season opener to nationally-ranked Saint Louis.
Graduate defender Samantha White led the way in the box score for MSU with a trio of shot attempts, while sophomore forward Jordyn Wickes put a pair of shots on target in the game. Both sides played to six corner kicks apiece, while Arkansas edged Michigan State in shots (19-12) and shots on goal (9-3).
The Spartans weathered Arkansas' talented front line early in the first half, with senior goalkeeper Lauren Kozal booking her first save of the game and sparking an MSU attack that put up a shot and a pair of corner kicks in the first 15 minutes. The Green & White stood tall on the back line against an aggressive Razorback attack, blocking several shots in addition to a trio of saves by Kozal through the 27th.
MSU and Arkansas exchanged possessions, with both sides notching solid scoring chances, but defensive effort won out as the score remained knotted at nil heading into halftime.
A breakaway opportunity sparked by graduate midfielder Celia Gaynor in the middle third brought the action down the field for MSU, but the Arkansas defense recovered to keep things deadlocked through the 53rd minute of action. Physicality and aggressive play was the hallmark of the second 45, as the Razorbacks added multiple fouls and had a pair of players saddled with yellow cards. A pair of corner kicks and a spectacular squared away shot by senior defender Bria Schrotenboer gave the Spartans their best opportunity of the afternoon, but the attempt drifted wide right outside the post.
Arkansas responded with an offensive charge downfield in the 77th minute, and a Spartan foul about 35 yards out led to a free kick by Razorback Ava Tankersley. Her attempt drifted into a crowded box and found Bea Franklin, whose header sailed past Kozal for the icebreaker.
The Green & White attempted to mount a comeback, notching a pair of shots and maintaining possession for most of the time remaining, but ultimately dropped its first contest in six games played.
Kozal put up one of her most dominant outings of the season against the Razorbacks, saving eight shots in the full 90 minutes she manned the goal. Arkansas' Grace Barbara also went full time and turned back a trio of MSU shots on goal, while logging the winning decision.
SCORING SUMMARY
77' – An MSU foul about 35 yards out led to a free kick by Tankersley. Her attempt drifted into a crowded box and found Franklin, whose header sailed in for the icebreaker. ARK 1, MSU 0
UP NEXT
Michigan State women's soccer returns to the friendly confines of Old College Field at DeMartin Stadium, as the Spartans play host to the Oakland Golden Grizzlies in a 7 p.m. kick on Thursday, Sept. 8.
FOLLOW THE SPARTANS
Visit MSUSpartans.com for more information on Michigan State women's soccer. Fans can keep up to date with the Spartan women's soccer team on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter by following @MSU_WSoccer.
Team Stats
MSU
ARK
Goals
0
1
Shots
12
19
Shots on Goal
3
9
Saves
8
3
Corners
6
6
Fouls
9
16
Scoring Plays
Bea Franklin (2)
Assisted By: Ava Tankersley
GOAL by ARK Franklin, Bea Assist by Tankersley, Ava.
76:40
Game Leaders
Shots
3
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
2
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
M
/ Women's Soccer
GK
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's Soccer
F
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