September 12, 2022
PHOENIX – The Razorbacks (5-1-1) ended Grand Canyon’s (4-2-1) four-game unbeaten streak thanks to Anna Podojil’s seventh career double and an aggressive offensive performance from Ava Tankersley. The match ended in 78th minute due to lightning in the area.
With the two goals, Podojil is three goals away from tying the program’s all-time career goals record (44). Her four points tonight put her career total at 107 and tied Parker Goins’ record from last season.
How did it happen?
Arkansas scored its first straightaway on the game’s first hydration break at the 27th minute. Temperatures in Phoenix stayed in the mid-90s throughout the game and caused timeouts.
Podojil’s curling shot from inside the 18-yard box sped past GCU goalkeeper Shantel Hutton to score for Arkansas. Tankersley fed the ball to Podojil and notched her eighth assist of the season.
After 45 minutes of play, the Hogs entered the break with 10 shots to the Antelopes’ eight.
Both teams traded shots for the first 20 minutes of the second half, with GCU threatening in the 65thth minute. Goalie Grace Barbara preserved the Razorbacks’ third shutout of 2022 by deflecting Antelope Leah Pirro’s shot wide of the frame.
Tankersley and Podojil tied once again in 72n.d minute. Podojil’s slide drew Hutton into the 18-yard box where Podojil smashed it into the ground for her third goal of the week.
The Hogs weren’t done as Tankersley finished GCU out a minute later. A pass from striker Jessica De Filippo in midfield was cleared at close range by Tankersley. She then brought the ball into the penalty box and fired a right-footed shot past two GCU defenders and Hutton for her second goal of the season.
A lightning delay began in 78th minute and the game was called about 17 minutes later.
Arkansas finished the game outscoring GCU, 18-10. Tankersley led the team with six hits. 12 of the Razorbacks’ 18 shots were on goal.
Hear it from Coach Hale
“I’m really proud; it’s a tough weekend. GCU is a good team that may not lose again. They were on a few extra days off and we exerted a lot of energy against BYU. We knew it would be tough and this team does the tough extremely well. We want to challenge ourselves and we came out of this weekend with some results as well as significant growth. We will celebrate tonight. Tomorrow we begin preparations for an undefeated and ranked Mississippi State team to start the SEC season.”
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The Hogs will open SEC play at Mississippi State on Friday, September 16 at 6:30 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on SEC Network Plus.
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