Trojans Set for NCAA First Round Against Razorbacks

LITTLE ROCK- The Trojans have advanced to the first round of the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history. They will meet SEC opponent Arkansas, currently 26^th in the RPI rankings. The winner of the match will advance to the round of 32.
 
Trojan Report
Little Rock is coming off a historic run in the Sun Belt Tournament that saw them advance past Arkansas State, Georgia State and Texas State to win the conference championship. The Trojans defeated the Red Wolves in penalty kicks before picking up a convincing 2-0 victory over Georgia State. The match against Texas State was tightly contested as the teams would fight to a 0-0 draw after 110 minutes of play, but Little Rock came out on top yet again in the penalty shootout.

 

Little Rock vs. Arkansas
Date	Nov. 9, 2018
Time	7 p.m. CT
Location	Fayetteville, Ark.
Stadium	Razorback Field
Stats	StatBroadcast
Video	ESPN+

Trojan Leaders
Jaclyn Purvine put in another great goal-scoring performance, scoring two goals in the semifinal match. Scoring once from open play and again from a Trojan set piece, the senior netted her 11^th and 12^th goals of the season which leads the team. She has five goals in her last six games. Arola Aparicio Gili had a fantastic tournament game playing in a variety of the forward positions in Doro Greulich's absence due to injury. She picked up an assist and did a great job creating opportunities for her fellow attacking players. Liesa Seifert had a great tournament in the defense, using her strength and height to lead her team to another shutout. The German defender also showed her class in the penalty shootouts as she converted both times from the spot. Natalee Geren also did well to step into a center back role. She was instrumental in the Trojans' match against Texas State, clearing two shots off the line to keep the teams level late in the match. Morgan Smocovich had a very good tournament in her holding midfield position. The Frisco, Texas native controlled the flow of the match for Little Rock by winning possession in the middle of the pitch and delivering forward passes from her central role. Bergros Asgeirsdottir and Nora Hellmers were solid in their outside back positions. Opposing wingers had trouble creating any sort of goal-scoring opportunities during the tournament. Lastly, Sara Johannsdottir really shined during postseason play. The freshman from Iceland made some critical saves between the posts to preserve the team's 11^th and 12^th shutouts of the season. She also helped the team prevail in two penalty shootouts.
 
Last Time Out
Little Rock came out strong against Texas State, nearly scoring through Aparicio Gili in the fourth minute of the match. However, this was one of the few scoring opportunities the Trojans would enjoy in the match. The Little Rock defense was stellar once again, picking up their 12^th shutout of the season. The Sun Belt Championship game would then head to a deciding penalty shootout. Seifert set the tone for the shootout when she knocked home the first penalty. Smocovich then blasted her spot kick into the top left corner to give the Trojans the edge. After a couple Bobcat conversions from the spot, Little Rock was finally denied on their third attempt. On the next Texas State penalty, a shot over the crossbar put the Trojans back on level terms. The teams would trade successful penalties until the sixth attempt when the Bobcats blocked a Little Rock penalty and gave their team a chance to win the championship with the next kick. Once again, the shot sailed over the bar to keep the Trojans alive. Claire Palmer rocketed her penalty into the roof of the net before Texas State sent their next kick over the bar for the third time and Little Rock would become Sun Belt Tournament champions.
 
Scouting the Razorbacks
Arkansas comes into the match with the same record as the Trojans (13-4-4). Last week, the Razorbacks lost in a penalty shootout against LSU after fighting the Tigers to a 1-1 draw after 110 minutes. Arkansas finished third in a highly-competitive SEC, taking a 6-3-1 record into the conference tournament. In their last seven matches, the Razorbacks have only lost once. Kayla McKeon and Tori Cannata lead the attack with eight goals apiece. To accompany their two attacking forces, the Razorbacks have a total of seven players with multiple goals on the season. Scoring has come fairly easy for Arkansas as they have averaged nearly two goals (1.81) a game this season. They have outscored their opponents 38-23 and have shown some vulnerability in the defensive third. The Razorback defense has allowed multiple goals to their opponent in five different matches this year. Corner kicks have proven to be a strength from the team in Fayetteville, scoring five times from these set piece opportunities.
 
Series History
Little Rock's matchup with Arkansas marks the first in the schools' history. The Trojans fell to SEC opponent Kentucky in heartbreaking fashion earlier this season. The Wildcats scored late in the second overtime period to win the game. SEC opponents have proven to be a struggled for the Trojans, as they have won the previous two matches against the maroon and silver.
 
Looking Ahead
Little Rock will look to advance to the round of 32 where they will meet the winner of the matchup between Texas and Virginia Tech.
 
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