Sept. 19, 2014
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – After coming from behind in the second half, the UK women’s soccer team dropped a 2-1 heartbreaker in double-overtime to the Arkansas Razorbacks in the Southeastern Conference opener for both teams.
Despite outshooting the Razorbacks (5-2-2, 1-0-0 SEC) 18-15, including a 9-7 advantage in shots on goal, the Wildcats (5-3-0, 0-1-0) couldn’t overcome a 35-yard blast off a free kick from Tyler Allen in the 104th minute. The shot arced just over the outstretched arms of UK goalie Taylor Braun into the upper left 90 for the golden goal.
“Congratulations to a great Arkansas team for a fantastic overtime win,” head coach Jon Lipsitz said. “They found a way, and it’s the mark of a special team to find a way to win those tough games.”
The Razorbacks broke through in the 48th minute off a throw-in from Ashleigh Ellenwood that Claire Kelley headed to the far side of the goal and Alexandra Fischer nailed into the upper 90 for the 1-0 Arkansas lead.
The Wildcats got the equalizer in the 68th minute off Jade Klump’s fourth goal of the season. Michaela Dooley threw the ball in to Arin Gilliland who got a head on the ball over to Stuart Pope. Pope lofted a header inside the six-yard box where Klump was able to deflect the ball in past Arkansas goalie Cameron Carter to the tie the match.
Arkansas nearly pulled back ahead in the 83rd minute, but a diving save from Braun kept the game tied. After a flurry of action in front of the UK goal, Erika Miller came up with the ball and fired a laser that made it through the mass of bodies, but Braun tracked it the entire way making a diving save.
Klump nearly ended it in the second minute of overtime when she possessed the ball at the top of the 18, turned and found herself with a wide open look at the goal, but sent the ball just over the crossbar.
Braun made another fantastic save in the 96th minute after the Razorbacks had a shot deflect off the crossbar followed by a gather and shot from Nicole Ortega right in front of the goal. However a quick reacting Braun was able to gather the ball in for the save.
Gilliland paced the Wildcats offensive attacked with seven shots, four on goal, while Klump also tallied a pair of shots on goal.
Braun finished the evening with five total saves in the effort.
The Wildcats return to the pitch next Friday, hosting the Mississippi State Bulldogs at the Wendell and Vickie Bell Soccer Complex.
