Box Score MURRAY, Ky. – Despite an 11-4 advantage in shots on goal and near-complete control of play in the second half, the UALR soccer team was unable to get a ball in the net and fell to Murray State 1-0 on Sunday afternoon.
The Trojans (2-2-0) played an excellent second half, taking eight shots on goal against one by the Racers (3-0-1) and also earning five total corner kicks. But Murray State keeper Savannah Haberman was perfect in net, making all 11 saves and clearing balls away from danger throughout the contest.
Ariel Galletti led UALR with four shots on goal while Adrianna Queen and Ashley Barksdale had two apiece. In net for the Trojans, freshman Sara Cavanagh got her first career start and made three saves.
Murray State only controlled play in the early going, striking for their goal just six minutes into the contest. Julie Mooney connected on a cross to beat Cavanagh, and the Racers had a lead they would not surrender despite a strong push from the Trojans' offense.
The Trojans seemed to turn momentum at about a quarter of an hour in. A corner kick in the 15th minute by Barksdale nearly resulted in a UALR goal when the ball bounced around inside the six-yard box. The Trojans got off two shots in that tight area, but the ball would not go in the back of the net.
From there, the first half was fairly balanced with the Trojans getting multiple shots no goal and maintaining possession more than the first 15 minutes. Galletti and Queen also took shots on goal during the half that saw the teams even at 3-3 in that category at the break.
After halftime, though, UALR took over with aggressive play. Mathilda Torstensson had an open chance midway through the half but sailed the ball wide, and Galletti had two shots saved by Haberman in the final seven minutes.
Linnea Kogsta and Andrea Letzel each took shots on goal in the last four minutes, but Haberman was there again.
UALR returns home for its next four games starting with UMKC coming to Little Rock on Friday for a 7 p.m. match.
