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Midweek soccer report: Week 8

Each week during the season, the Midweek Report will serve as a recap of the previous week of action for Arkansas Soccer, while previewing the week ahead and keeping up with national rankings and individual accolades.

Week 8 Recap

Arkansas played two matches last week and split the results to land at 13-2-0 on the season and a 6-1 mark in Southeastern Conference play.

The Razorbacks defeated Vanderbilt 4-0 on Thursday, Oct. 6 at home but fell to No. 4 South Carolina 3-1 on the road.

Rankings Watch

The Razorbacks fell one spot to No. 12 in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America poll released on Tuesday. Arkansas also dropped one spot in the NSCAA NCAA Division I Women’s South Regional Poll to third place, behind South Carolina and Auburn.

The NCAA also placed Arkansas No. 10 in the nation in its latest Rating Percentage Index rankings on Monday that take into account the team’s winning percentage and its opponents’ average winning percentage, among other factors.

The RPI plays a role in postseason NCAA Tournament bid selections and hosting opportunities.

In a separate poll, TopDrawerSoccer.com also ranked Arkansas No. 11 in the nation in its top 25 poll.

Looking Ahead: Auburn

The Razorbacks travel to Auburn, Alabama, to face off against the No. 13 Tigers on Friday, Oct. 14 at 7 p.m. CT.

Auburn is 10-4-0 on the year and 6-1 in conference play while riding a five-game win streak against conference opponents No. 17 Florida, Georgia, Missouri, Kentucky and Mississippi State.

Junior forward Kristen Dodson leads the Tigers with nine goals, six assists and 24 points along with five game-winners.

The match will be streamed live on SEC Network+ via the WatchESPN app.

Home Support

After eight home games, Arkansas ranks 12th in the nation in total attendance (11,134) — down one spot from last week — and 12th in average attendance (1,392), also down one notch from the previous week. Within the conference, Arkansas is fourth in the SEC in total attendance as well as average attendance.

Stats Watch

As of Thursday, Arkansas is ranked in the top 25 in the following categories by the NCAA: 12th in scoring offense, third in total goals, fifth in total points, 12th in points per game, ninth in total assists, 19th in assists per game and eighth in won-lost-tied percentage.

Individually, senior Claire Kelley leads the nation in total assists and is fourth in assists per game. Senior Alexandra Fischer is also ranked 18th in total assists.

Game Tickets

With two home games left in the regular season, single-game tickets are $5 and free for children 17 and under. Gates open one hour prior to kickoff.