No. 9 Arkansas Razorbacks women’s soccer team opened their Southeastern Conference (SEC) season with a 3-2 win against the University of Florida in Gainesville on Thursday. The victory brings Arkansas’ record to 3-2-2 overall and 1-0-0 in conference play, while Florida falls to 4-4-0 and 0-1-0 in the SEC.
The match saw Arkansas take an early lead, with freshman Nuria Craig scoring the opening goal. Another freshman, Vailana Tu’ua, added two goals within a span of less than a minute during the first half. Both Craig and Tu’ua recorded their first collegiate goals, becoming the eleventh and twelfth different scorers for Arkansas this season. Junior midfielder Kennedy Ball contributed assists on both of Tu’ua’s goals.
Arkansas led 3-0 at halftime but struggled to maintain control in the second half as Florida increased its offensive pressure. The Gators earned two penalty kicks, converted by Kai Tsakiris and Madison Jones, after fouls committed by Arkansas players Aniyah Nurse-White and Makenzie Malham.
Despite being outshot in the second half and conceding six corner kicks to Florida’s one, Arkansas held onto its lead with key saves from sophomore goalkeeper Keegan Smith. Smith finished with four saves for the match.
“Arkansas has won five straight matches against the Gators and six of the last eight.”
Looking ahead, Arkansas will host No. 13 Vanderbilt at Razorback Field on September 19. Vanderbilt is set to open its own conference schedule against LSU before traveling to face Arkansas.
For further updates on Arkansas soccer, information is available through @RazorbackSoccer on social media.
