The No. 10 Arkansas soccer team (14-4-2) suffered the ultimate heart-breaker in the championship game of the SEC Tournament on Sunday in Pensacola. The Hogs fell to Georgia 1-0, with the lone goal coming off an own-goal that was deflected in off a Razorback player.
The goal was actually scored early in the game, less than seven minutes in, when Georgia’s Mallie McKenzie dribbled down the right flank and sent the ball in to teammate Hannah White at the near post. Unfortunately, the ball then went in the goal off the foot of Arkansas midfielder Makenzie Malham, who was pressuring White down the field.
The Razorbacks did everything they could to get the goal back and even the score, outshooting the Bulldogs 18-7 and forcing Georgia goalkeeper Jordan Brown to make seven saves. Graduate midfielder Bea Franklin led the Hogs with six shots on the day.
Freshman Phoebe Carver had another stellar game in goal for the Razorbacks, recording three saves.
Arkansas nearly tied it with 1:30 remaining in the match, as freshman midfielder Kennedy Ball sent a cross pass to the back post. It connected with freshman forward Bella Field, whose header sailed just over the crossbar.
A trio of Razorbacks – Malham, Franklin and forward Ava Tankersley – were all named to the All-Tournament Team.
The Hogs now await their NCAA Tournament draw, which will be revealed on Monday at 3 p.m. The selection show will be streamed live on the NCAA.com website.