Forward Tori Grambo (3) plays keepaway with MSU midfielder Ilana Izquierdo (23) on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023 at Donald R. Dizney Stadium in Gainesville, Fla. The Gators were defeated by Missouri State University 0-1. (Sydney Johnson/WRUF)

Florida Soccer Travels to Face No. 10 Arkansas in SEC Matchup

eitanohana October 12, 2023 Gators Soccer, SEC 410 Views

The Florida Gators soccer team heads to Fayetteville to face the No. 10 Arkansas Razorbacks at 7 p.m. A win for either team could drastically impact the season’s momentum moving forward.

Stumbling Gators

Sitting at a 5-4-4 record, there is clear improvement from Florida’s 2022 season record of 2-14-1. Looking at the statistics, however, it’s possible to think that the record would be even better. The team has outscored opponents by a combined 20 goals to nine. The start of the season reflected this disparity, as the team started off 4-0-2. Since then they’ve gone 1-4-2, with the first loss coming against Florida State.

SEC play hasn’t been favorable to the Gators. The team sits at 1-3-2 in the conference. The one win they’ve found in SEC play came against LSU in dominant fashion, a 4-0 thumping of the Tigers in Baton Rouge. Outside of that, however, they’ve been on the other side of the scoreboard, but not by much. A 3-2 loss to Missouri and a 1-0 loss to Mississippi State has hurt Florida’s record. The team’s last match was a 0-0 tie to Georgia, only the second time that result has occurred when the two teams matched up.

To beat Arkansas, head coach Samantha Bohon will need her stars to show up. Leading goal scorer Megan Hinnenkamp, who’s put the ball in the back of the net six times this season, will look to build on her scoring run. She’ll look to get some help from the team’s leader in assists, Lauren McCloskey.

Rumbling Razorbacks

Arkansas heads into the matchup tonight looking to continue getting wins. Coming off a 2-1 loss to Auburn, head coach Colby Hale will look to turn things around and see the team that was riding a six game win-streak instead.

The Razorbacks most impressive win of the season came at home against Alabama, where they beat the No. 9 Crimson Tide 5-0. Morgan White, who leads the team in goals scored this season with six, had two of the five goals. Teammate Bea Franklin can have a similar impact, as she’s scored five times and assisted another four goals.

Arkansas has already faced Georgia this season as well, though they came away with a 2-1 victory as opposed to Florida’s tie. They are undefeated at home, winning all six of their matches, a good sign for them tonight.

History to Hang On

The two teams have faced each other a number of times in the past, with Florida being dominant in the series. Of the 26 total matchups between the Gators and the Razorbacks, Florida has won 22. Arkansas currently holds onto a three game win-streak, though, so a fear of the past shouldn’t exist for the side. Florida, on the other hand, could look at the past to be a sign for the future.

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