Box Score LITTLE ROCK – The UALR soccer team has played in blowouts and tight games this season, and it has proved more than capable in both situations.
Sunday afternoon's match at the Coleman Sports and Recreation Complex was one of the tight variety, but the Trojans pulled out a 1-0 victory over Tennessee Tech on a penalty kick goal by Quin Wilkes and another stout defense effort.
With the win over Tennessee Tech (2-5-0), UALR (8-0-0) has now doubled its win total from all of last season and won eight games in a season for the first time since 2009. UALR also extended program-best streaks as it has now won eight games to start a season for the first time ever and eight consecutive games at any point of a season for the first time ever.
After a first half with few opportunities for either team, UALR got its game-winning goal early in the second. Louise Kallin had the ball in midfield, and the freshman tried to spring Wilkes for a breakaway with a well-placed through ball. Wilkes was brought down from behind in the penalty box, and the referee signaled for a penalty kick. Wilkes did not waste the opportunity, putting the Trojans up 1-0 in the 49th minute and tying the team lead with her fifth goal of the season.
The rest of the second half, much like 1-0 wins against South Dakota and Northwestern State earlier in the year, saw UALR's defense play excellent soccer as it kept Tennessee Tech without a shot in the entire second half. The Golden Eagles had two corner kicks in the period, but the Trojans again cleared the ball away from danger.
Seven Trojans played the full 90 minutes including defenders Amanda Wilkinson, Kailie Holloway and Linnea Kogsta. Holloway played her 4,500th career minute in the game and Rohane played her 4,000th. Also seeing all 90 minutes Sunday were goaltender Bre Ilkuf, Ariel Galletti, Mikayla Uyokpeyi and Wilkes.
Ilkuf (4-0-0) extends her shutout streak to 291 minutes after blanking the Golden Eagles. The freshman made three saves in the first half to hold off the few TTU opportunities that came her way.
After three consecutive games at home, the Trojans are on the road next weekend for their final game before Sun Belt play starts. UALR takes on Missouri State in Springfield, Mo., on Friday at 7 p.m.
