Freshman delivers in opener

Credit freshman Nikki Crocco for extending a streak in Arkansas’ 1-0 soccer victory at Missouri State last week.

Crocco scored the game’s only goal on an eight-foot header, taking a well-placed pass from senior Megan Fawley, and became the third consecutive freshman to score a game-winner in a seasonopener for the Razorbacks (1-0-0 ). Kat Moffet got that honor in 2006 and Kelly O’Connor in 2007.

“I think it was genuine shock on her face,” Coach Gordon Henderson said with a laugh of Crocco’s reaction to her game-winner. “She was jumping up and down not sure how to celebrate.”

Henderson was high on Crocco, a 5-4 product of Southlake, Texas, throughout preseason camp and said it won’t be a surprise if she works her way into the starting lineup.

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Anyone planning on breaking up Arkansas’ back line, however, will have a much tougher task. Henderson raved about the play of Fawley, Sarah Gwisdala, Rachel Smith and Lauren Hallauer against Missouri State.

“I think any time you limit your to opponent without a shot on goal, in any kind of a game, it’s a pretty good sign,” Henderson said ”I thought the back four plus the goaltender were absolutely fantastic. ”

Sophomore keeper Brittni Williams made just one save while picking up her seventh career shutout.

Arkansas opens it home season with matches against Tulsa (1-1-0 ) and Oral Roberts (0-0-0 ) on Friday and Sunday, respectively.

Henderson said he was pleased with the way Arkansas’ forwards presented themselves as targets against Missouri State, but would like to see more consistency from the middle third to the last third of the field this weekend. That doesn’t mean there will be any less emphasis on playing a possession game and remaining defensive-minded. “We want to win every game by a shutout if we can,” Henderson said. “It’s just the mind-set. I would much rather win a game 1-0 or 2-0 than win it 5-4 or 7-6. I’m definitely of the idea that a good defense will stop a good attack.”

VOLLEYBALL Bring it on Arkansas’ season-opening date with No. 17 Colorado State was already set when Robert Pulliza was hired as the Razorbacks’ new volleyball coach in July. The tough test on a quick turnaround, however, doesn’t seem to faze him. “I think that’s great because it gives us an immediate measuring stick of where we’re at,” Pulliza said of opening against a ranked team. “It won’t give us any false hopes as far as playing an opponent that might not be as worthy as Colorado State. “ We want to be one of the best teams in the country, and there’s nothing better than to see where we’re at immediately, if we’re there or not there.”

It’s hard to imagine an Arkansas team with only four returning regulars — and a new coach and system in place — playing at a Top 25 level, and even Pulliza said he expects some sloppiness early in the season. Pulliza said he’s more interested in seeing Arkansas display good team chemistry and camaraderie.

That’s because no team will be at its peak in August, Pulliza said, “but team camaraderie can be there from beginning to end, and we expect them to play hard and play together all weekend long.”

Arkansas also will play matches against Denver and Eastern Washington this weekend as part of the Colorado State-hosted Hilton Classic. Expect unexpected

Jessica Dorrell easily led Arkansas’ volleyball team in kills last season, picking up second-team All-SEC honors in the process.

Coach Robert Pulliza said this year’s team won’t have such a one-sided attack.

“There’s nobody that we expect to be an aircraft carrier,” Pulliza said. “We expect to be balanced.”

While Dorrell piled up 319 kills last season, sophomore Heather Royal and senior Christina Lawrence are Arkansas’ most productive returning hitters. Royal’s 240 kills were second to Dorrell in 2007, while Lawrence had 167.

Lawrence had the best hitting percentage (. 292 ) of the three, though, and easily is Arkansas’ most seasoned player. Lawrence redshirted in 2004 while playing basketball at Arkansas, then chose to play volleyball full time prior to the 2005 season.

“She’s been around the block and back for a while now,” Pulliza said. On tap SPORT COMMENT Soccer Home opener Friday night Volleyball Opens seasons in Rockies By the numbers 42 Minutes played by freshman Nikki Crocco in Arkansas’ 1-0 soccer victory at Missouri State. 1 Shot taken by Crocco, who had the game’s only goal. 3 Teams on Arkansas’ 29-match volleyball schedule ranked among the Top 25.