FAYETTEVILLE -- Arkansas scored five goals in the first half Friday to eliminate Little Rock in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in a rare in-state matchup at Razorback Field.
Arkansas advanced to the second round for the fourth time in school history in front of more than 1,100 fans. The 5-1 victory represents the largest margin of victory in an NCAA Tournament game in school history.
"This group has tremendous fight and tremendous spirit," said Arkansas head coach Colby Hale. "We're tough to play at home and we're tough to play anywhere. People talk about our home record, but in a neutral site we're tremendous as well. I thought we put our best foot forward, there is no settling into the game against us, and that's tough."
Sophomore Taylor Malham, juniors Kayla McKeon, Tori Cannata, Stefani Doyle and freshman Tyler Runnels all found the back of the net in the first 45 minutes, putting the game away well before halftime. The first two Arkansas goals came in the opening 10 minutes and Malham's goal in the third minute was the second-fastest goal by a Razorback this season.
"When you go in to the NCAA Tournament game and you want a chance to get over the nerves and catch your breath, but by the time you do it's 3-0," Hale said. "I was very pleased. (Little Rock head coach) Mark Foster has done a tremendous job with UALR.
"Congrats to him and his program. That is a monumental feat for the first NCAA Tournament appearance in program history. Congrats to them."
McKeon and Cannata both continue to match each other in the goals category as they lead the team with nine goals each this season. Malham has seven points in her last four matches, including a goal and an assist against the Trojans.
"With the crowd showing up with it being so cold, it meant a lot to us and showing the support they had for us," Cannata said. "It makes us want to come out and play well. I think we came out really hot and I think the crowd enjoys seeing and I'm glad we could get it done for them."
"I thought all of them honestly, but our front three, we ask a lot from our front three maybe more than other any team in the country," said Hale when asked which of his players had the best performance. "When Stefani Doyle gets that look in her eyes, you're not going to be able to keep up with that.
"Kayla McKeon was everywhere, I thought she was our best player on the field. Tori Cannata had a ridiculous goal. Taylor Malham ran forever. It was just our outside mids that play defense on the field. It feels like we have more players out there. It was a team effort, certainly McKeon stood out, but I thought the whole team was very good."
McKeon led all Razorbacks in Friday's match with a season-high four points as she had her goal in the 10th minute and added assists on Malham's goal in the third minute and Cannata's goal in the 13th minute.
"Whatever is next, we're going to start preparing tonight and we don't know who we play next, but it doesn't matter," Cannata said. "We're going to go out and get ready."
Sports on 11/11/2018