Box Score SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Make it nine.
The UALR soccer team claimed its ninth consecutive victory to start the 2014 season on Friday night, defeating Missouri State 1-0 at the Plaster Sports Complex.
Fali Garuba got the only goal of the match, improving the Trojans to 9-0-0 for the first time ever and giving the team nine wins in a season for the first time since 2009.
Sara Cavanagh's three saves in net gave the team its seventh shutout of the year, breaking the school record of six shutouts on the season. The win was UALR's second consecutive 1-0 victory over Missouri State and the team's fourth 1-0 win of the 2014 season.
After a first half without any scoring, Garuba finally broke the scoreless tie in the Trojans' favor. A loose ball came out to the top of the penalty box, and Garuba beat the Missouri State defender to the ball. Her shot flew into the back of the net, and the Trojans had the only lead they would need in the 63rd minute.
The rest of the match saw UALR put on another signature defensive stand, keeping the Bears away from goal and only allowing one shot on goal the entire second half and none after Garuba's goal. The Bears had one last chance on goal with a corner kick with seven seconds left, but a header by Ashley Tallerine went wide as the final horn blew.
The best chance for the Bears came in the first half as Molly Brewer took a penalty kick after a Trojans player fouled a Missouri State player in the penalty box. But Brewer missed her attempt, ringing the ball off the crossbar in the 55th minute.
Amanda Wilkinson, Linnea Kogsta, Kailie Holloway and Lauren Brownrigg played all 90 minutes on the back line in the defensive effort, and Cavanagh earned her fifth win of the year and second solo shutout.
UALR's goalies have combined to allow just two goals in nine matches, good for a goals against average of 0.22.
Alyson Rohane and Lexus VanPelt topped all Trojans with three shots total. Garuba and VanPelt had two on goal each. All told, the team took 11 shots to Missouri State's 17, though the Trojans had six shots on goal to the Bears' three.
With losses by Kansas and Creighton on Friday night, the Trojans are now one of just five unbeaten, untied teams in the nation. Only two of those teams – UALR and Virginia Tech – have at least nine wins.
Next up for the Trojans is the start of Sun Belt Conference play. UALR returns home for a Friday-night affair with Appalachian State. The Trojans will be hosting the #TrojanTailgate at the Coleman Sports & Recreation Complex starting at 6 p.m., with free T-shirts for the first 100 students as well as free hot dogs, hamburgers, bottled water and tailgating games. Kickoff against the Mountaineers is set for 7 p.m.
