Mississippi State
Arkansas
Bulldogs Fall In 1-0 Heartbreaker To Arkansas To Close SEC Road Trip
September 25, 2011 | Soccer
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Mississippi State battled hard for 90 minutes, but Allie Chandler's 66th-minute strike proved the difference as the Bulldogs fell 1-0 to Arkansas Sunday afternoon in Fayetteville.
The loss dropped MSU to 3-5-2 overall and 0-2 in the league heading into next weekend's home conference-opening weekend against Alabama and 22nd-ranked Auburn. State welcomes the Crimson Tide to campus at 7 p.m. Friday before wrapping the weekend at 1 p.m. Sunday against the Tigers, who are ranked 22nd nationally in this week's Soccer America poll.
Arkansas improved to 4-5 overall and 2-0 in the conference.
After the two squads played to a scoreless tie in the opening half, Mississippi State threatened with a pair of early chances. Elisabeth Sullivan was called offside on a potential breakaway opportunity in the 54th minute. Minutes later, freshman Amy Hoover's attempt to put MSU in front was turned back by Arkansas goalie Emily Lillard.
Arkansas answered with Chandler's winner on a long-range shot that angled toward the right post and into the net.
The Bulldogs kept fighting and had a couple of Dana Forbes equalizing attempts stopped by Arkansas keeper Lillard, who made eight saves on the afternoon.
MSU junior Skylar Rosson made two saves on the afternoon.
In the match's final seconds, Mississippi State was denied a final chance to net the tying goal. Junior Jasmine Simmons, who scored State's goal against LSU on Friday, broke away from the defense toward the net. Her point-blank shot was turned away by Lillard, and senior Tarah Henderson's follow-up attempt was blocked.
Arkansas claimed a 16-15 edge in shots, but the Bulldogs were the more accurate side, tallying an 8-3 advantage in on-goal opportunities.
Sophomore Elisabeth Sullivan paced the Dawgs with five shots, including two that tested Lillard.
"I liked the way our team came out and competed today," MSU head coach Neil Macdonald said. "We out-played them for 90 minutes today, but we couldn't get the final ball in goal while they did. I was very pleased with our effort today, and there are a lot of good things to build on going forward."
In the opening half, the Razorbacks claimed a 7-6 edge on shots, but the Bulldogs put four shots on target compared to the Razorbacks' two.
State's first test of Lillard came in the seventh minute. A loose ball was deflected out to Julie Waddle, but her long-range attempt was stopped by the Razorbacks' goalie.
Four minutes later, Sullivan had her first of two on-goal opportunities in the first half saved by Lillard. She had another chance at the 6:22 mark, but was unable to angle the ball past the Arkansas keeper.
State's last try on target came in the 38th minute when junior Madison McKee's attempt on goal was denied.
Mississippi State (3-5-2, 0-2-0) vs. ARKANSAS (4-5-0, 2-0-0)
Date: 9/25/11 Attendance: 705
Goals by period 1 2 Tot
-------------------------------
Mississippi State... 0 0 - 0
ARKANSAS............ 0 1 - 1
SCORING SUMMARY:
1. 65:40 ARKANSAS Allie Chandler (1) (unassisted)
Shots: Mississippi State 15, ARKANSAS 16
Saves: Mississippi State 2 (Skylar Rosson 2), ARKANSAS 8 (Emily
Lillard 8)
