Little Rock Closes Road Swing With 1-0 Victory At Jackson State

JACKSON, Miss. – Little Rock got its second goal in as many games from Jana Heinen, and the Trojan defense did the rest in a 1-0 victory at Jackson State Tuesday afternoon. The win closes out the four-game road swing for the Trojans and evens Little Rock's record at 3-3-1 on the season.
 
"In the first half, I thought we played some great soccer," said head coach Mark Foster. "We had some good chances and a great goal, and probably should have had a couple more. In the second half, we started to show some signs of fatigue, playing our third game in five days, so it was crucial to have those girls come off the bench and get us across the finish line.
 
Little Rock controlled the tempo for the duration of the afternoon, outshooting the Tigers 14-3, including putting nine shots on goal, compared to just one for Jackson State. The third shot on goal for Little Rock proved to be the difference maker with Heinen beating the Tiger goalkeeper on a low shot in the 23rd minute, assisted by Abril Lucio.
 
Six different Trojans posted a shot on goal on the afternoon, led by three from Fanney Einarsdottir and a pair from Mariella Stephens. Heinen, Lucio, Julia Edholm and Karina De Paoli each fired a shot on net to bolster the Little Rock attack.
 
Defensively, goalkeeper Paige Henry registered her third shutout in four starts of her Trojan career as Little Rock notched its fourth clean sheet of the season. The Trojans' defensive effort made her job easy on Tuesday afternoon, limiting Jackson State to just three total shots and forcing Henry to make just one save.
 
"I was pleased with our effort on this road trip, taking two of three games, and any time you can get a clean sheet and win on the road, you take it," said Foster. "Jackson State is a tough team and they have given teams fits on their home field, so we'll gladly take this victory."
 
An impressive career milestone was reached in the victory as well as fifth year senior Bergros Asgeirsdottir played all 90 minutes, upping her career total to 7,215 minutes played. That mark surpasses Jane Picarelli's 7,153 minutes from 2007-10 as she becomes Little Rock's all-time leader in minutes played in a Trojan uniform.
 
"Bergros is one of best people and players I've had the honor of coaching during my career," Foster said. "She does everything that is asked without complaint, and is an incredible team leader. I'm proud of her for reaching this milestone and feel honored to have been able to coach her for the last four seasons."
 
After a four-game road swing, Little Rock returns to Coleman for a weekend homestand to open up Sun Belt play. The stretch begins against Troy Friday at 7 p.m. as the 2021 Little Rock seniors will be honored prior to the match.
 
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