Samford University
Arkansas
Arkansas' Late Goal Upends Samford In 2OT, 1-0
9.7.08 | Women's Soccer
Sept. 7, 2008
JACKSONVILLE, Ala. - The Samford University soccer team suffered a heartbreaking 1-0 loss to the Arkansas Razorbacks on Sunday in the championship match of the 2008 adidas Gamecock Classic. At the JSU Soccer Field, Arkansas' Sophie Wentz scored the game-winning goal with 2:30 remaining.
In the loss, Samford (1-4) goalkeeper Cayley Winters played 107:30 minutes of perfect soccer before Arkansas (4-1) scored its game-winner in double overtime. The Bulldogs' senior four-year starter from Littleton, Colo., tallied a game-high five saves in the loss.
With Sunday's victory, Arkansas earned the championship title of the 2008 adidas Gamecock Classic and extended its winning streak to three-consecutive matches. The Razorbacks concluded play in the four-team tournament with wins against Jacksonville State 4-0 and Samford 1-0.
Samford and Arkansas played a tough physical match and were scoreless until the second overtime period. At the end of regulation, the Bulldogs had attempted eight shots with two being on-goal, while the Razorbacks rattled off 13 shot attempts with six being on-goal.
Midway through the second overtime period, the match was delayed for nearly 20 minutes for an injury timeout. Prior to the delay, Samford dominated the overtime periods and maintained possession on Arkansas' half of the field for a predominant portion of extra play.
Once play resumed in double overtime, Arkansas took its first possession and scored the game-winning goal.
On the score, the Razorbacks' Kelly O'Connor gathered the ball at midfield and drove from right to left into Bulldog territory. She moved the ball ahead 30 yards and split a pair of Samford defenders before sending a perfectly-placed pass to Wentz.
Wentz caught up to the ball just before it reached the top of the box where she settled it at her feet and flicked it up over the goalkeeper into the net. The goal was Wentz's first of the 2008 season. O'Connor was credited with an assist on the play.
Samford's Amber Cress and Hilary Samuels paced the offensive attack for the Bulldogs. Both players attempted two shots and forced Arkansas' goalkeeper Britni Williams to make diving saves.
The Samford University soccer team will next be in action Friday at 7 p.m., as the Bulldogs continue their tour of Southeastern Conference opponents with a matchup against the Alabama Crimson Tide at the UA Soccer Complex in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
