Little Rock Registers 1-0 Overtime Victory on Senior Night to Open Sun Belt Play

LITTLE ROCK – After battling for 96 minutes, a Troy foul in the box created a penalty shot for Bergros Asgeirsdottir, and the fifth-year senior took full advantage, putting the shot in the bottom right corner to give Little Rock the 1-0 overtime win Friday night at the Coleman Sports Complex.
 
With the win, Little Rock improves to 4-3-1 on the year and 1-0 in Sun Belt play while Troy falls to 3-4-1 and 0-1 in league play. The game was delayed nearly 90 minutes due to lightning in the area, pushing the opening draw back to an 8:30 p.m. start, setting the tone for a grind-it-out battle.
 
"This was a typical conference game," said head coach Mark Foster. "Troy fought for every ball and every tackle, and every 50/50 ball was a battle. Tonight we battled without the ball and matched them, and with the ball, we had some of the best offense we've created all year. We hit the crossbar, hit the post, had a lot of chances and a lot of quality efforts. I'm delighted to get the win."
 
Asgeirsdottir's golden goal broke the scoreless tie with 4:01 remaining in the first overtime period in a game in which Little Rock's offense had numerous chances. The Trojans outshot Troy 14-4 on the night, putting three shots on net but having two others miss by mere inches.
 
Karina De Paoli's shot in the 16th minute just bounced off the crossbar, while Fanney Einarsdottir had a great look in the 79th minute that careened off the left upright. Einarsdottir led all players with four shots on the night with De Paoli adding three of her own and Allison Morrison, Julia Edholm and Skylar Garner each adding a pair of shots.
 
Defensively, Paige Henry earned the win and the shutout without having to make any saves as the Little Rock defensive unit limited Troy to no shots on goal and just four total shots. Henry played 92:16 while senior Hilma Svalander earned the start on Senior Day, playing the first 3:43 of game time.
 
The goal for Asgeirsdottir was her second career goal, both of which came in game-winning fashion. For Foster, it was fitting she was the one to carry Little Rock over the finish line on Senior Day.
 
"We joked with her in preseason that she was going to handle penalty's for us this year, and I wrote it down on the board everyday, yet we haven't had one yet. We finally got one today and delighted for her and the seniors that they were able to get the win on their day."
 
Little Rock returns to action Sunday when the Trojans will host reigning Sun Belt champion South Alabama. Opening draw is set for 1 p.m. at the Coleman Sports Complex.
 
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