FAYETTEVILLE -- Since taking over a fledgling women's soccer program at the University of Arkansas seven years ago, Colby Hale's approach has remained simple, and the same: Strive to get better every day.
It's a philosophy that seems to work, as is evident by the program's success over the past five seasons.
Arkansas Soccer
Date^Opponent^Time/Result
Aug. 17^Dusquesne#^W 1-0
Aug. 19^West Virginia#^T 1-1
Aug. 24^Nebraska-Omaha^7 p.m.
Aug. 26^at McNeese State^4 p.m.
Aug. 31^Baylor^7 p.m.
Sept. 7^Florida Atlantic^7 p.m.
Sept. 9^Connecticutt^1 p.m.
Sept. 13^at Georgia*^6 p.m.
Sept. 16^Providence^6 p.m.
Sept. 20^Texas A&M*^6 p.m.
Sept. 23^at Alabama*^6 p.m.
Sept. 27^Missouri*^6 p.m.
Oct. 4^LSU*^6:30 p.m.
Oct. 7^at Ole Miss*^2 p.m.
Oct. 11^Kentucky*^6:30 p.m.
Oct. 18^at MississippiState*^7 p.m.
Oct. 21^Auburn*^1 p.m.
Oct. 25^at Florida*^6:30 p.m.
Oct. 28-Nov. 4^SEC Tournament at Orange Beach, Ala.^TBD
*— SEC match
# — at Penn State Invitational
"I know it just sounds like coach-speak, but this is a process," said the Razorbacks' coach, who has the program coming off its first back-to-back 10-win seasons in school history and its fourth NCAA Tournament appearance in the last half-decade.
"Every year, you learn a little bit more, you grow a little bit more, and I think as you start to get better, your hunger to take the next step increases," said Hale, who has an overall 69-51-13 record at Arkansas. "I think this group is too hungry to not be good, and try to be great. I think we've got a good mix."
Following a pair of preseason exhibition wins over Kansas State and Nebraska, Arkansas opened the regular season last weekend at the Penn State Invitational in State College. After opening with a 1-0 victory over Duquesne, the Razorbacks battled to a 1-1 overtime tie with No. 9 West Virginia.
Now at 1-0-1 on the season, Arkansas will open its home slate Friday at 7 p.m. against Nebraska-Omaha.
"I think we had a good preseason and a good start this past weekend, but we have to stay focused on the task at hand," Hale said. "Kind of mixed emotions with the tie, because we play to win and didn't win. But on the other hand, we were really pleased with our performance.
"West Virginia is a very talented team, probably a legit Final Four team. We had chances to win and probably should have won."
The Razorbacks return a total of 14 letter-winners this season, including 12 starters who are back from last season's 11-11-2 squad that earned a trip to the NCAA Tournament, a berth in the SEC Tournament final for the second-straight year, and a school record-tying 10 shutouts.
"It seems like as the younger classes come in here, we are getting more and more talented, and that helps us play the type of soccer that we want to play to be successful at this level," said forward Parker Goins, one of nine sophomores from last season's talented freshman class.
Goins led the team in nearly every offensive category last season, tallying nine goals -- including four match-winners -- seven assists, and 52 shots, including 27 shots on goal. Arkansas is returning more than 85 percent of its scoring from a year ago with 36 percent coming from Goins and fellow sophomores Haley VanFossen, and Taylor Malham.
"I think this team is well-balanced on both sides," Goins said. "On defense, we like to play safe and get somewhat conservative in the back. Then when we get into the attacking third, we try to be creative to finish the goals."
Defensively, Arkansas is led by senior Carly Hoke, who was recently named SEC Defensive Player of the Week for her efforts against Duquesne and West Virginia.
"I really like this group a lot," Hale said. "I think we have a good mix on our staff and a good mix on this team. You want experience, veteran, mature. But you also want young, energetic and talented. I think we've got both."
Arkansas finished 10th in the nation last season in total attendance with 13,538, fourth-best in the SEC. The Razorbacks' average attendance was 1,354, including a single-game attendance record of 3,401 against top-ranked Penn State.
"Our fans are amazing, so we love when they come in here and get loud and yell," Doyle said with a huge grin. "That's a huge support system, and they really help motivate us."
Home matchups against Texas A&M (Sept. 20) and Missouri (Sept. 27) will both be broadcast on the SEC Network, as well as online via the Watch ESPN app. They will also get a regional audience on Cox when they travel to McNeese State (Aug. 26).
Sports on 08/23/2018