Box Score Box ScoreNASHVILLE, Tenn. – Despite outshooting its opponent 16-9 and having a clear edge in possession and scoring chances, the Little Rock soccer team suffered its first loss of the 2015 season by a 1-0 score at Belmont on Sunday evening.
Little Rock (1-1) threatened throughout both halves of the game, but it was a first-half goal from the Bruins (1-0) that made the difference. Coming off a corner kick in the 15th minute, Emily Whitcomb headed a ball past Trojan goalie
Sara Small to provide the difference maker in the contest.
The Trojans will return to Little Rock for their first home game of the year on Friday at 7 p.m. for the #CrowdColeman event. Little Rock went undefeated at home in non-conference play during the 2014 season.
Despite trailing on the scoreboard, Little Rock outshot Belmont 6-3 in the half and had three corner kicks to the Bruins' two. Small made two saves in the half, equaling Bukovec's total.
The second half was no different, as the Trojans controlled the ball and had the better chances on goal. Sophomore
Fali Garuba had the best opportunity with 12 minutes to go as she sped past four Bruins players on her own before taking the ball into the penalty area. Her shot, though, was just high over the net, keeping Belmont in the lead.
Garuba also had a shot saved by Belmont goalie Stephanie Bukovec in the 76th minute, and a shot for her in the 86th minute went just wide left.
Small finished the night with five saves, four more than she attained in the season opener at Tennessee Tech on Friday. Her three second-half saves helped keep Little Rock in the game.
Little Rock will play again on Friday night, taking on Murray State at the Coleman Sports & Recreation Complex. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
