Trojans Match School Record for Wins in a Season

LITTLE ROCK- Arola Aparicio Gili delivered the winning strike in the 85^th minute to seal the 1-0 victory for the Trojans over a scrappy Georgia Southern side. This win was the team's 12^th of the season, which ties a Little Rock record for most wins in a season. The Trojans also grabbed their sixth consecutive win and fourth consecutive clean sheet, as the team has only conceded two goals in their last eight games. Texas State's win gives the Bobcats the title on their final day of the season and the Trojans are now locked into the two-seed for the Sun Belt Tournament.
 
"It was a tight one," said Head Coach Mark Foster. "For long periods of time it was very even. Georgia Southern were organized and fought well. We knew they were going to be tough to beat. Early in the game we came out and played brilliant, and then I think we got a bit nervous and anxious because the goal didn't come. But at the end we found a way to win and grind it out and that's what great teams do."
 
The Trojans' first scoring opportunity came in the 39^th minute when Jaclyn Purvine delivered a well-timed through ball to Maeve Burger. Burger found some space in the penalty area before firing a shot on her left foot. Little Rock were unlucky, however, as the shot would strike both posts before deflecting back into play.
 
In the second half, Georgia Southern got back into the game and controlled possession for majority of the half. The Eagles put some pressure on the Trojan defense, but were unable to create any good scoring chances.
 
Fanney Einarsdottir also had a very good opportunity to score in the 58^th minute but was denied by Eagles goalkeeper Jocelyn Springer.
 
Little Rock's lack of luck continued in the 80^th minute when Aparicio Gili had her shot saved from point blank range.
 
As the Trojans were likely thinking that today was not their day, they were awarded a free kick just outside the box in the 85^th minute. After the ball was whipped in front of goal, the ball would take many deflections, just waiting for a Trojan boot to send it into the back of the net. Aparicio Gili would make the most of the opportunity and blast the ball into the back of the net to score the winning goal.
 
Liesa Seifert, Bergros Asgeirsdottir and Samantha Rolka played all 90 minutes to preserve the team's tenth shutout of the season, further extending the school record for shutouts in a season. Sara Johannsdottir made three saves between the posts for the Trojans.
 
Little Rock will return to action next weekend when they travel to Boone, N.C. to take on Appalachian State in a makeup game. The date and time are yet to be determined.
 
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