Arkansas soccer to host struggling Texas A&M squad

FAYETTEVILLE — The Arkansas soccer program might be trying to prolong Texas A&M’s traditionally poor begin to convention play throughout their assembly Thursday night time at Razorback Area.

For the primary time, the Aggies (5-4-2, 0-3 SEC) have misplaced their first three SEC matches. They may have their work minimize out in opposition to Arkansas, which has received 4 straight within the collection.

Regardless of the streaks, Arkansas coach Colby Hale doesn’t need his workforce overlooking the guests.

“They’ve had some unhealthy luck,” Hale stated. “They’ve bought one of the gifted rosters we’ve performed. We all know with the rivalry, their expertise, and their teaching that that is going to be a battle.”

Texas A&M coach G Guerrieri admitted the hostile atmosphere of Razorback Area will not be a positive place for opponents to play, a lot much less snap a shedding streak. The Razorbacks have received 3-2 and 2-1 within the Aggies’ previous two journeys to Fayetteville. 

“Going into Fayetteville on Thursdays is rarely simple,” Guerrieri stated. “Getting over these humps is essential. A variety of what we take care of is psychological. Arkansas will not be going to provide us any time to consider it, which might be good as a result of we’ve bought to simply get on the market and play exhausting.”

The Razorbacks (7-2-1, 2-1 SEC) dropped their SEC opener in opposition to Mississippi State on Sept. 16 earlier than responding with consecutive 1-0 victories over Auburn at dwelling and at then-No. 8 South Carolina. Hale faulted himself for not getting ready the workforce effectively sufficient previous to its loss.

“If I may return and do it once more, I’d have proven some video and talked extra about it,” Hale stated. “We ready for some stuff however I feel the depth of an SEC recreation snuck up on us. That’s on me and I feel we’ve figured some stuff out.”

Arkansas climbed as much as No. 12 within the United Soccer Coaches ballot after final week’s victories. The South Carolina win moved the Razorbacks to No. 5 within the NCAA RPI. 

Junior ahead Ava Tankersley performed a vital function in each scores final week. She registered a purpose and help on her method to being named the SEC offensive participant of the week. She leads the Razorbacks with 8 assists in 10 video games and is second within the nation in assists per recreation.

“Within the spring, she dedicated herself within the room and bought tremendous match,” Hale stated of Tankersley, “She labored on some issues she wished to get higher at and it’s now paying off.”

Hale emphasised the significance of his youthful gamers changing into extra comfy with the squad’s system and terminology because the season progresses. Final yr, Arkansas’ reliance on veteran gamers similar to Parker Goins and Kayla McKeon was a luxurious that the present squad doesn’t have, he stated.

“I really feel like anyone on this (Zoom) name may have received the SEC with final yr’s workforce,” Hale stated. “There have been so many older gamers. Now we’ve to rearrange our recreation plans barely in another way as a result of it’s the primary time that among the youthful gamers have heard this data.”

The workforce’s depth and inexperience are being examined by a number of accidents. Hale confirmed sophomore midfielder Van Fitch is out for the season. He’s not sure a couple of return for senior All-SEC defender Bryana Hunter, who hasn’t performed since being injured within the season opener at Saint Louis.

The Razorbacks and Aggies will kick off at 6 p.m. and the sport might be televised on ESPNU. It was initially scheduled for SEC Community however was bumped after a South Carolina soccer recreation was rescheduled for Thursday resulting from Hurricane Ian.

“We’re getting a gifted, determined workforce,” Hale stated of Texas A&M. “They must win this recreation, so all the things goes to be on the desk. We all know it’s going to take our very best effort to get any sort of end result out of this.”

No. 12 Arkansas vs. Texas A&M

WHEN Thursday, 6 p.m. 

WHERE Razorback Area in Fayetteville

TV ESPNU

RECORDS Arkansas 7-2-1, 2-1 SEC; Texas A&M 5-4-2, 0-3 SEC

NOTABLE Arkansas has received 4 consecutive video games in opposition to Texas A&M since snapping an eight-game shedding streak to the Aggies in 2018….Arkansas’ Ava Tankersley is tied for the nationwide lead with 0.89 factors per recreation….The Razorbacks have received 16 consecutive dwelling video games and have a 52-9-2 file at dwelling since 2016.