Alabama
10-6-1 (2-5-1)SEC
Arkansas
8-8-1 (3-4-1)SEC
Alabama Soccer Blanks Arkansas, 1-0, in Fayetteville
10/19/2017 9:43:00 PM | Soccer
Redshirt Freshman Chloe Maize netted the game-winner in the 74th minute
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Redshirt freshman Chloe Maize netted her second goal of the season in the 74th minute to propel the Alabama women's soccer team over the Arkansas Razorbacks, 1-0, on Thursday night at Razorback Field. The Crimson Tide (10-6-1, 2-5-1 SEC) picked up its second straight conference win of the season and the Razorbacks (8-8-1, 3-4-1 SEC) suffered its fourth conference loss of 2017.
Thursday's victory also snapped a two-game losing streak to the Razorbacks and marked the sixth time in program history the Tide has come out on top in Fayetteville.
"Obviously, thrilled with the result," head coach Wes Hart said. "We're at a point in our season where we need to get every point we can get, so to come to Arkansas and get three points was huge for us. So incredibly proud of the team and the effort that they gave. It's not easy coming into Arkansas and getting a result, but the team fought hard and played well and kept our season alive."
The Crimson Tide applied the pressure early, launching two of its seven shots of the half in the first five minutes of action, but the pair of attempts were stopped by the Razorback defense.
In the 12th minute, Alabama threated to take the lead when senior Celia Jimenez Delgado chipped off a shot a few feet away from the goal, but it bounced off the post and just missed the inside of the net. The Tide earned a second golden opportunity in the 22nd minute after drawing a foul five yards outside the box, but senior Chatham DeProspo's shot off the set piece was saved by the Arkansas keeper.
The second half started off slowly as the two SEC teams traded possession of the ball for the majority of the second stanza until Alabama snatched the 1-0 lead in the 74th minute. Junior Emma Welch directed a longball from the left wing that landed perfectly in front of Maize who waited patiently from inside the 6-yard box for the score.
With ten minutes left on the clock, Arkansas was determined to net the tying goal with a corner kick in the 81st minute and a cross right in front of the Alabama goal line in the 85th minute, but no striker was able to tally a goal and the Tide captured its second consecutive victory.
The Tide recorded 15 shots in Fayetteville and the Alabama defense dominated the match, limiting Arkansas to six shots, including only two attempts in the opening stanza.
Senior goalkeeper Kat Stratton registered her fifth shutout of the season, her first in conference play, and made one save in 90 minutes.
Alabama will host its last home match of the regular season on Sunday, Oct. 22 at 6 p.m. CT at the Alabama Soccer Complex. Sunday's game will be broadcasted live on SEC Network +.
Get all the latest information on the team by following @AlabamaSoccer on Twitter and Facebook and AlabamaSoccer on Instagram. General athletic news can also be found at UA_Athletics on Twitter and Instagram and AlabamaAthletics on Facebook.
Team Stats
Chloe Maize (2)
Assisted By: Emma Welch
GOAL by UA Chloe Maize (FIRST GOAL), Assist by Emma Welch, goal number 2 for season.
73:03
