BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Arkansas senior defender Carly Hoke was tabbed as the SEC Defender of the Week today by the league office for her performance in a season-opening win over Duquesne and tie against No. 9 West Virginia.

It’s the first conference weekly honor in Hoke’s career.

“This is well deserved,” Arkansas coach Colby Hale said. “It was a fantastic team performance last week and I thought her play and veteran leadership was absolutely vital.”

Looking to begin the 2018 season on the right foot, Arkansas was tasked with a road trip to the Northeast against a Duquesne team picked to finish third in the Atlantic 10 and a top-10 West Virginia team that reached the Sweet 16 a year ago.

Hoke and the Razorback defense were up to the task defeating the Dukes, 1-0, without conceding a shot and only allowing two corner kicks. Hoke, who is back to full health after a season-ending knee injury a year ago, played all 90 minutes against Duquesne and followed it up with a full 110 minutes in the draw with the Mountaineers.

Not only was the win against Duquesne the ninth season-opening win in the last 10 years, it also marked the first time in program history an Arkansas team has not allowed a single shot to an opponent.

Against the Mountaineers, Hoke led a defense that helped earn a 1-1 tie, which was Arkansas’ fourth win or tie against a top-10 opponent in its last seven opportunities dating back to the 2016 season.

Hoke’s 55 starts are the second-most of any active Razorback and Friday’s clean sheet was the 15th she has contributed to since 2015.

Up Next

Arkansas will return to Razorback Field for its next match as it will open the home portion of its schedule against Nebraska-Omaha on Friday, Aug. 24 with first kick set for 7 p.m.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — A highly physical match between Arkansas and No. 9 West Virginia went into overtime late Sunday morning, but neither team could find the scoring touch in the extra 20 minutes as both teams fought to a 1-1 draw at Jeffrey Field.

Junior Stefani Doyle provided the lone goal for the Razorbacks in the 16th minute, her first of the season and 12th of her career. Meanwhile, the Arkansas defense had another strong match led by sophomore goalkeeper Rachel Harris, who racked up a career-high nine saves.

Arkansas’ result with West Virginia on Sunday marked its fourth win or tie against a top-10 opponent in its last seven opportunities going back to the 2016 season.

With the tie, the Razorbacks will head into the second week of the season undefeated for the sixth time in the last seven years.

From Head Coach Colby Hale

“What a great game. West Virginia is a very talented and well-coached team. We were up for it and had a bunch of chances to win it. Overall, I’m pleased with many parts of where we are. It was a good weekend. We’ll go and watch the video and see where the areas we need to continue to improve are. What a great effort by the players.”

How It Went Down

16th minute – Junior Stefani Doyle’s goal broke the scoreless match open early in the first half, giving the Hogs the early advantage. With West Virginia trying to go on a counter attack, sophomore Abbi Neece came up with a loose ball to turn the tides. Neece was able to find Doyle streaking down the middle of the box, who, then, followed with a nice move to beat the keeper and finish with a left-footed shot.

Doyle is coming off a five goal, 16-point sophomore season and has tallied points in two of her last three matches going back to last year. As for Neece, the Texas native was making her first start of the season and now has three assists in her career.

61st minute – West Virginia did even up the match after being awarded a penalty kick midway through the second half. Bianca St. Georges was called to take the shot and Harris was unable to come up with the tough save.

87th minute – West Virginia forward Sh’Nia Gordon was given a red card with four minutes left in the second half forcing the Mountaineers to continue with only 10 players for the remainder of the match.

90th minute – Harris came back in a big way to finish regulation as she came off her line to make the low dive on a St. Georges shot attempt from 15 yards out. The crucial save sent the match into overtime where neither team was able to break the tie.

108th minute – After only earning one shot attempt in the first overtime period, Arkansas had just 10 more minutes to try and find the winner. Junior Madison Louk nearly had the golden goal on another counter attack, but her shot attempt from the left side was blocked by West Virginia.

Other Key Notes

• In its last seven matches against top-10 opponents going back to 2016, Arkansas has won or tied four times. Sunday’s match was its second-straight result over a top-10 team.

• Sophomore goalkeeper Rachel Harris turned away a career-high nine shots in 96 minutes Sunday. Her previous high of four saves came against James Madison on Sept. 1, 2017.

• Senior Carly Hoke and sophomore Haley VanFossen played all 110 minutes of Sunday’s match. For Hoke, it’s the third time in her career she’s played 110 minutes, while it’s the second time for VanFossen.

• Sunday’s meeting was the first between Arkansas and West Virginia.

Up Next

Arkansas will return to Razorback Field for its next match as it will open the home portion of its schedule against Nebraska-Omaha on Friday, Aug. 24 with first kick set for 7 p.m.