FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas will host an NCAA Tournament women’s soccer game for the first time Friday.
The Razorbacks are a No. 6 seed in the 64-team tournament and will play Memphis at Razorback Field at 6:30 p.m. Arkansas is 9-1 at home this season.
“I think this was probably the first that was the next step, to host an NCAA Tournament game,” Arkansas Coach Colby Hale said. “That’s huge for our program.”
Friday's Ticket
Arkansas vs. Memphis, NCAA Tournament
WHEN: 6:30 p.m.
WHERE Razorback Field, Fayetteville
RECORDS Arkansas 17-5; Memphis 14-4-1
TICKETS Adult general admission tickets are $8. Students and children aged 17 and under get in for $5. Tickets may be purchased at arkansasrazorbacks.… or by calling 1-800-982-4647.
This season, the Razorbacks (17-5, 8-3 SEC) set the school record for conference victories.
Arkansas finished runner-up at the SEC Tournament last weekend in Orange Beach, Ala. The Razorbacks lost 2-1 to Florida in overtime Sunday in the tournament championship game.
“I am very happy with how we did,” said Rachel Riggs, a senior midfielder. “It would have been great to win, but I think it’s going to give us even more want to come out here and compete, and win in the NCAA Tournament.”
Arkansas was projected to finish 12th in the SEC in the preseason, but Hale said he hasn’t been surprised by his team’s success. The Razorbacks have seven seniors who won at least one NCAA Tournament game in 2013 and 2014.
“The program before in 26 years had never been to one NCAA Tournament, and this group has been to three,” Hale said. “It’s just a tremendous group that leads well, off the field as well, and they’re a big reason we’ve done it.
“We were hungry, we have talent and we have leadership.”
The Razorbacks competed in their first NCAA Tournament in 2013, defeating Oklahoma State 2-1 and St. John’s 1-0 before falling to Duke on penalty kicks in the Sweet 16. They returned to the tournament in 2014, defeating Oklahoma 3-2 in overtime before losing to Stanford 1-0.
Memphis, a member of the American Athletic Conference, is 14-4-1 this season. Friday’s winner will play the following week against the winner of Clemson and Northeastern.
Arkansas players find out they will host an NCAA Tournament game vs. Memphis pic.twitter.com/d9KofGqyCk
— WholeHogSports.com (@wholehogsports) November 7, 2016