Women’s Soccer Loses To Arkansas In SEC Finale, 4-3 10/27/02
Lady Razorbacks Score Four Second-Half Goals To Defeat Commodores

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - The Vanderbilt women’s soccer team finally broke out of its scoring slump on Sunday afternoon; however, despite scoring three goals against Arkansas, it still lost, 4-3, at the Lady ’Back Soccer Field. The loss dropped the Commodores to 4-9-2 overall and 2-5-2 in the SEC, while the Lady Razorbacks moved to 7-12 and 3-5 in the conference.

Vanderbilt entered the day needing a win over Arkansas to keep its SEC Tournament hopes alive, but with the loss it ended its run of nine-consecutive tournament appearences. The Commodores now lead the all-time series with the Lady Razorbacks, 12-4-1.

The Black and Gold jumped out to a 2-0 lead on Arkansas; however, it was unable to sustain the advantage. Forward Jen Talavera scored the game’s first goal when she beat out Arkansas goalie Megan Bals one-on-one in the 25th minute. The Commodores scored again when forward Kelci Hegg tallied her first collegiate goal, after she beat out Bals one-on-one following a cross from forward Laura Hershenow in the 43rd minute.

Heading into the second half down 2-0, Arkansas got its first goal in the 46th minute when Julie Williford headed the ball past Vanderbilt goalkeeper Esther Thompson following a pass from Crystal Test. For Williford, it was her 11th goal of the season.

Vanderbilt stretched its lead to 3-1, as Hershenow scored off a rebound following a save from Bals. The initial shot prior to the save came from Talavera, who was credited with the assist.
With the Commodores seemingly in control of the game, the Lady Razorbacks exploded with three goals in the last 12 minutes. In the 79th minute, midfielder Mary Langston scored on a penalty kick following a Vanderbilt foul inside the box. Arkansas struck again 35 seconds later when midfielder Megan McCool drilled a shot from 20 yards out following a restart. The game-winning goal came in the 88th minute when Williford scored from 18 yards outs following an assist from Melissa Dziubinski.

Vanderbilt finished with three more shots than Arkansas (15-12) and five more corner kicks (8-3).

The Commodores conclude the 2002 season at 7 p.m. Wednesday, October 30, against Conference USA power Marquette at the Vanderbilt Soccer Complex.

Scoring
VU: Jen Talavera (Unassisted) - 24:25
VU: Kelci Hegg (Laura Hershenow) - 42:40
UA: Julie Williford (Crystal Test) - 45:44
VU: Hershenow (Talavera) - 72:32
UA: Mary Langston (Penalty Kick) - 78:34
UA: Megan McCool (Erin Sampson) - 79:09
UA: Williford (Melissa Dziubinski) - 87:45