SOCCER: UGA Falls to Arkansas

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SOCCER: UGA Falls to Arkansas

Georgia players head the ball during Georgia’s game with Arkansas at the Turner Soccer Complex on Friday, September 25, 2015 in Athens, Ga. (Photo by Sean Taylor)
[su_spacer size=”20″] In a rain-soaked Friday night Southeastern Conference matchup, the Georgia Bulldogs fell 2-1 to the Arkansas Razorbacks in a tight, physical battle at the Turner Soccer Complex.
[su_spacer size=”40″] Georgia (1-7-1, 0-3) dominated the offensive side of the ball, outshooting Arkansas (5-5, 1-2) 13-5 in total shots taken.
[su_spacer size=”40″] Head coach Billy Lesesne was happy with his team’s effort, but hoped for a different result.
[su_spacer size=”40″] “We played well at times and were able to keep the ball,” Lesesne said. “They’re a difficult team to play against. Trying to manage the game and play under those conditions was pretty difficult. At times we were pretty good at it. We gave up a goal in a long throw in. They’re good in long service opportunities. They were able to capitalize on a couple of those. We just didn’t execute well enough in the final third. Games are won and lost in the boxes and they were better in the box than we were today.”
[su_spacer size=”40″] The Bulldogs came out flying in the first half as they immediately put the Razorbacks on their heels in the defensive zone, including two corner kicks within the first ten minutes.
[su_spacer size=”40″] Georgia’s pressure was broken only for moments at a time and Arkansas was able to break the scoreless tie in the 17’. Arkansas forward Katie Moore was able to put home a bouncing loose ball in the box to make it 1-0.
Following the goal, the Bulldogs kept the pressure in the Razorback’s end as they looked to equalize. Despite outshooting Arkansas 6-1 and a 6-0 advantage in corner kicks, Georgia headed into the half down one goal.
[su_spacer size=”40″] The second-half started with a flurry as the Bulldogs tied the score less than a minute into the half. Junior forward Marion Crowder redirected a cross from Lauren Tanner past Razorback keeper Jordan Harris knotting the score 1-1.
[su_spacer size=”40″] Not to be outdone, Arkansas took the next kickoff down as Erika Kelley was able to sneak the ball just by Louise Hogrell’s outstretched left leg, giving Arkansas a 2-1 advantage.
[su_spacer size=”40″] Following the two-goal blitzkrieg, Georgia had numerous chances to knot the score at two, but were unable to capitalize on their chances, including four of their seven corners.  Midfielder Bella Hartley led the Bulldogs with three shots with Crowder, Tanner and Caroline Waters having multiple shots as well.
[su_spacer size=”40″] Georgia returns to action on Sunday when they play host to Texas A&M with kickoff set for 1:00pm on ESPNU.
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