CARY, N.C. — Arkansas had to battle through an aggressive match into overtime with Virginia Tech Friday afternoon in its second-round match of the NCAA Tournament.
Unfortunately, it was the Hokies that found the golden goal in the 107th minute, ending Arkansas’ season with a 1-0 defeat in double-overtime.
Virginia Tech’s goal came in the second overtime period with four minutes left until both teams would decide with penalty kicks. The Hokies were granted their fifth corner kick of the match and Jordan Hemmen attempted a header in the middle, sending it in at the far post.
“I thought we created enough chances to win,” Arkansas coach Colby Hale said. “Virginia Tech was incredibly direct. It’s a testament to our press and players. Soccer can be cruel. It was a good season and another step forward for this program.
“I’m gutted for this group of players and this senior class. I wanted it for them. They have been courageous in helping us build this to national prominence. They will be missed, but their legacy will last forever.”
Junior Stefani Doyle and sophomore Taylor Malham were the main offensive weapons for the Razorbacks, contributing to 85 percent of Arkansas’ shots being on target. Malham and Doyle came into Friday’s match with six and three goals on the year, respectively.
Doyle led all Razorbacks with five shots in the match, four finding the frame in 104 minutes. Kayla McKeon, Haley VanFossen and Taylor Malham each added two shots of their own.
Arkansas also won the corners game, 9-5, four coming in the second half.
Some of the Razorbacks’ best chances to break the scoreless tie came off corners, including a 96th minute chance by Doyle in the left portion of the box, but Virginia Tech’s keeper Mandy McGlynn made one of her nine saves of the match.
The Razorbacks’ season was successful, once again, reaching its third-straight SEC Tournament final and third-straight NCAA Tournament appearance in Hale’s seventh year at the helm.
Arkansas also unseated No. 2 Texas A&M earlier in the season, earning its first win over the Aggies since 1993. The win also was the fifth result over a top-10 team since 2016, which is more than any other SEC team in that time frame.
For only the second time in school history, Arkansas won 10 games at Razorback Field, but this year marked the first time in school history that the team went unbeaten at home (10-0-1). The 10 wins matches the win total from 2016, which was a school record.
