Georgia Opens SEC Play with 3-1 Win Over Arkansas

Thursday, September 13

Athens, Ga.

7:00 p.m.

University of Georgia

4-3-2, 1-0

Arkansas

5-2-1, 0-1

Arkansas

Georgia

Photo by: Lauren Tolbert

September 13, 2018 | Soccer

Box Score

ATHENS, Ga. – For the first time since 2013, Georgia soccer (4-3-2, 1-0 SEC) opened Southeastern Conference action with a victory after defeating the Arkansas Razorbacks (5-2-1, 0-1 SEC), 3-1, on Thursday night at the Turner Soccer Complex.

Sophomores Reagan Glisson and Katie Higgins, as well as freshman Abby Boyan contributed goals for the Bulldogs in the first conference win of their careers at Georgia.

"You only get one chance to be 1-0 in the SEC and this was our chance," Higgins said following the win. "To not win an SEC game last year and be able to get this one tonight means a lot of improvement for us but we also have a long way to go. Once you get that first win, they just keep rolling. It keeps the morale up and because we got three goals instead of just one it's a huge morale boost too."

"I am really proud of the effort from the team," head coach Billy Lesesne said. "It all comes down to first and second balls, so we challenged for the 50/50 balls and did a great job of winning second balls, which gave us more possessions. Once we were able to settle into play, we were pretty effective at getting into the attack at times. We drew a corner and scored off another set piece, so we were really good in dead ball situations. This is an area that we have continued to work on, and actually, an area in which Arkansas is really strong. It was a reward for our team for sticking to our game plan, working hard in training, and believing in the process. I am really pleased with this result."

The Bulldogs came out ready to fight with Glisson firing two shots in the first five minutes of the game. Quick hands and a stout Razorback defense prevented both goals.

Both teams proved to be very defensive-minded holding the score at an even zero-zero until the 25th minute of the match. A scramble in the box saw a shot from freshman Dani Murguia that was deflected by the Arkansas goalkeeper, but Glisson was able to fire the ball into the back of the net for the lead.

Georgia held the Razorbacks to no shots for the rest of the half and carried the 1-0 lead into the locker room.

Coming back to action, both teams had equal possession of the ball for the majority of the half. Glisson found herself at the corner and launched the ball into the box where freshman Abby Boyan was able to capitalize on the shot, the third goal of her young Bulldog career.

Less than five minutes later Glisson again knocked the ball into the box Higgins recorded her first goal of the season. Georgia led 3-0 with 12 minutes remaining in the match.

After an altercation in the Georgia box within the last 10 minutes of the game, the Razorbacks were awarded a penalty kick. Arkansas' Kayla McKeon placed the ball in the back corner of the net gaining the Razorbacks' lone goal of the night.

The Bulldogs held off Arkansas for the remainder of the match solidifying a 3-1 win to start SEC play.

Due to impending inclement weather, the Georgia soccer game against Murray State scheduled for Sunday in Athens has been canceled.

The Bulldogs will be back in action on Thursday, September 20 against the Missouri Tigers in Athens. The game is scheduled for 7 p.m. and admission to the Turner Soccer Complex is free.

HOW TO FOLLOW GEORGIA SOCCER: For complete information on Georgia soccer, follow the team on its social media channels via @UGASoccer on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.