Johnson Scores in 6-1 Loss at Arkansas

Sunday, October 13

Fayetteville, Ark.

1:00 PM

Mississippi State

7-6-1, 2-3-1SEC

#13 Arkansas

11-2-1, 5-1-0SEC

Team	1	2	Final F
Mississippi State	1	0	1
Arkansas	3	3	6

Johnson Scores in 6-1 Loss at Arkansas

October 13, 2019 | Soccer

Box Score Box Score

by Brian Ogden, Assistant Coordinator/Communications

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Sophomore Niah Johnson became just the fourth player in the country to score against No. 13/23 Arkansas in a losing effort for Mississippi State on Sunday.

The Bulldogs (7-6-1, 2-3-1 SEC) fell by a score of 6-1 in Fayetteville while seeking their first win over a ranked opponent this season.

"Obviously, a very disappointing result against a very good Arkansas team," head coach James Armstrong said. "It was one of those games whereby everything they hit seemed to go in the goal. We'll definitely regroup and work hard this week in preparation for Georgia."

MSU had an early chance to get on the board as Onyi Echegini brought a long pass down around midfield and dribbled her way into the box. She shot low to the near post, but the keeper made the save.

Arkansas (11-2-1, 5-1-0 SEC) opened the scoring in the 17^th minute then added to its lead in the 25^th minute.

In the 41^st minute, MaKayla Waldner was dragged down while making a run into the box to earn a penalty kick. Johnson converted from the spot for her second goal of the year.

In the 43^rd minute, Gabby English made one of her best saves of the day on a shot from point-blank range. In the scramble for the rebound, the Razorbacks drew a penalty kick of their own and converted to take a 3-1 lead into the locker room.

Arkansas scored three times in the first 15 minutes of the second half to take control of the match. Two minutes after kicking off, the Razorbacks beat the MSU defender to a long pass. English came out to try to secure the loose ball, but lost the race as the attacker took a touch around her to score.

In the 52^nd minute, the Razorbacks scored off a one-touch shot from the back post. In the 60^th minute, Arkansas put a shot off the crossbar, but collected the rebound and fired it off the bar again. The second shot glanced off the bar and into the net to result in the final score.

State had a final opportunity to score in the 87^th minute when Echegini played a perfect pass through two defenders to Niejia Watkins, but Watkins' shot was blocked on its way to the net.

MSU returns home next week for a nationally televised match with Georgia on Sunday, Oct. 20. The two Bulldogs are currently tied in the SEC standings for the final SEC Tournament bid with 10 points each. Both teams will have Thursday off before playing at 4 p.m. CT on ESPNU.

For more information on the Bulldog soccer program, follow on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching for "HailStateSOC."