The University of Arkansas soccer crew was eradicated within the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament for the second 12 months in a row following a 1-0 loss at Florida State on Saturday evening in Tallahassee, Fla.
The top-seeded Seminoles, final 12 months’s nationwide champion, broke a scoreless tie with a set-piece aim within the 53rd minute. The rating was the game-winner regardless of the groups combining for twenty-four pictures.
The Razorbacks didn’t take care of a nook from Jenna Nighswonger that bounced on the close to submit. Arkansas senior defender Bryana Hunter whiffed on an tried clearance because it deflected off her into the web.
“I’m really proud of this team,” Arkansas soccer Coach Colby Hale mentioned. “We are a mis-hit corner kick away from a Final Four.
“This crew overcame quite a bit this 12 months and went toe-to-toe with the No. 1 crew within the nation for 90 minutes.”
Arkansas (13-4-5) appeared to be the likelier team to score through the first 40 minutes. The Seminoles found their footing in the last few minutes of the half.
“I assumed our press induced all of them kinds of issues,” Hale said. “We simply could not get the ultimate contact within the field.”
Florida State succeeded in getting the ball out extensive and serving low crosses into the field to maintain it away from Arkansas’ dominant aerial forces alongside its backline. The hosts almost transformed on such an opportunity proper earlier than the break.
Nighswonger, the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament MVP, stung a first-time strike towards the aim that required a diving cease from Arkansas goalkeeper Grace Barbara within the forty fourth minute.
The second half included a lot of the identical because the Seminoles compelled Barbara to make a season-high seven saves. Florida State outshot Arkansas 10-7 within the second half and 13-11 all through the match.
Play acquired quicker as the sport progressed with Arkansas flying ahead searching for an equalizer and Florida State racing the opposite approach on counterattacks.
The Seminoles almost went up 2-0 within the seventy fifth minute when Clara Robbins fired a missile previous Barbara that clanked off the crossbar from 20 yards away.
The Florida State protection smothered Arkansas’ attacking trio of Anna Podojil, Jessica De Filippo and Ava Tankersley. Each ahead registered one shot on aim.
Arkansas pressed numbers ahead within the recreation’s waning levels however was unable to get a clear look on aim. It was the Razorbacks’ second 1-0 lack of the 12 months, with the primary coming within the season opener at Saint Louis.
All of the Razorbacks’ losses got here away from Razorback Field, the place the crew has not misplaced since 2020.
Florida State (17-2-3) superior to the College Cup for the third consecutive season and thirteenth time total. The Seminoles will play North Carolina in a nationwide semifinal Friday in Cary, N.C., in a rematch of the ACC Tournament Championship Game on the identical subject.
Arkansas was taking part in within the Elite Eight for the second time in program historical past. The Razorbacks misplaced 4-2 to Rutgers in penalty kicks final season.
Florida State grew to become the sixth ACC crew to eradicate Arkansas from the NCAA postseason in 9 appearances.