Little Rock Opens Season with Clean Sheet

PINE BLUFF, Ark. – Little Rock limited UA-Pine Bluff to just three shots on goal, recorded a clean sheet and utilized a trio of scores themselves to open the season with a 3-0 win in Pine Bluff Thursday afternoon.
 
Paige Henry did not allow a goal and the Trojan defense did not allow many chances to begin with as Little Rock (1-0) opened the year with a win for the first time in the Mark Foster era.
 
"I pride myself on working hard, being organized and getting clean sheets," Foster. "That is something since Audra Larson and I have been here that has been a staple of our team. For me, every game is about preparation for conference. Including last week's exhibition, this makes two straight games with clean sheets and it didn't even look like we would concede a goal so I am definitely delighted with that effort."
 
UAPB (0-1) conceded the first goal of the game in the 21^st minute when Astros Luckas ripped a shot from 40 yards out on the assist from Jada Heinen. The ball sailed over the head of Lions goalkeeper Kailey Whermann and just under the crossbar for the first goal of the season.
 
Following halftime, Mariella Stephens added to the Trojan lead with a strike from 30 yards out, putting the ball in the top left corner of the net to push the advantage to 2-0.
 
Jessie Vaden wowed the crowd in the 73^rd minute for Little Rock's third goal of the game. After Karina de Paoli's shot was saved by Wehrmann, Vaden – turned around by the sequence of events in the box – kicked the ball with the back of her foot and past a diving Wehrmann despite not being able to even see the net when she kicked the ball.
 
"It was great creativity by her, it was fantastic," said Foster of Vaden's goal. "That is something we need more in the final third of games – finding ways to score. I'm delighted for Jessie. Week-in and week-out she is one of our hardest workers so I am delighted for her to get a goal."
 
In all, Little Rock ripped 31 shots – a mark that ranks tied for 10^th in school history and the most since 2016 – with 15 of those on goal.
 
The Trojans have a quick turnaround as Little Rock will host UT Martin on Sunday at 1 p.m. at the Coleman Sports Complex in Little Rock. Gates open at 11 a.m. for the Trojan Tailgate with free hot dogs while the Loblolly food truck will be on site providing free ice cream to the first 100 fans. Little Rock's 2021 schedule posters will also be given away to the first 100 fans.
 
For the latest information on Little Rock Soccer, make sure to check out LRTrojans.com. You can also find the team on social media at @LittleRockSOC on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
 
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