Razorbacks fall to LSU in regular season finale

No. 4 Razorback Soccer fell 4-2 to the LSU Tigers on Thursday night, ending Arkansas’ 14-game winning streak.

With the loss, Arkansas finished the regular season 14-3 with a 9-1 record in Southeastern Conference play.

“First off, congrats to LSU,” Arkansas head coach Colby Hale said. “They played desperate in the first half and we didn’t. In the second half, I thought we played better. Winning is hard and that is a good reminder. We had our chances in the second (half). This will make us better.”

The Razorbacks started off strong with a goal from their all-time career points leader, senior forward Parker Goins, on a chip shot over the head of the LSU goalkeeper to take a 1-0 lead in the second minute. The score came off an assist from sophomore forward Kiley Dulaney.

Goins’ goal was the Hogs’ only score in the first half as LSU followed with two of its own before the 45-minute mark. The first came in the 18th minute as LSU senior defender Shannon Cooke scored to tie the game. The next came right before the half from the left foot of junior forward Rammie Noel to take a 2-1 lead.

LSU carried its momentum into the second half, expanding its lead to 3-1 on a score from redshirt sophomore forward Tinaya Alexander in the 48th minute of the match.

In the 68th minute, Arkansas came within one as a botched clear attempt went directly into the possession of junior forward Anna Podojil, who immediately converted it into a goal.

The comeback was not to be, as another goal from LSU’s Alexander with 10 seconds left in the match sealed the Razorback loss.

The Hogs had plenty of opportunities in the night. They outshot the Tigers 22-11 and fired eight shots on target to the Tigers’ six, but could not convert on the chances often enough to take the victory.

Arkansas also found the advantage in set pieces. The Razorbacks had four corner kick attempts to the Tigers’ zero.

Top-seeded Arkansas will look to bounce back in the SEC Tournament when it takes on the winner of Georgia and LSU at 5 p.m. Tuesday in Orange Beach, Alabama. The match will be broadcast on SEC Network.