Arkansas blanks Missouri for 2nd shutout in a row

Arkansas players embrace after a score during a soccer game, Thursday, Sept. 27, 2018, at Razorback Field in Fayetteville.

FAYETTEVILLE -- The soccer version of the Battle Line Rivalry lived up to the billing Thursday night, as Arkansas sophomore forward Taylor Malham scored the game's only goal with 33 minutes left, as the Razorbacks held on for a physical 1-0 victory over Missouri.

Soaring from last week's 3-2 victory over No. 2 Texas A&M and Sunday's 1-0 victory at Alabama, Arkansas secured its second straight shutout and third of the year. The Razorbacks are now 8-2-2 overall, and tied for second place in the SEC at 3-1-0.

The first half was battle of attrition against the Tigers, as both teams struggled to get anything going offensively. Arkansas outshot Missouri 3-2, with each squad taking one shot on goal.

"At halftime we just said there are some games when you don't necessarily have your A-game and you're not sure why -- maybe your legs are a little heavy," Arkansas coach Colby Hale said afterward. "We knew we were probably going to have to gut out a 1-0 win, and I thought our team did a tremendous job at that.

"The second half we created a ton more chances, and I thought we were a lot better."

Arkansas took 14 shots after intermission to Missouri's six, and Razorback keeper Taylor Beitz didn't skip a beat as she recorded her second straight shutout.

"We have kind of given some kids some opportunities, and Beitz has stepped up for sure," Hale said. "I really like this team. We've had some injuries to some key kids, and new people just keep stepping up.

"We have a really good senior group. We have some depth, and I'm really proud of them. This team has got a chance to be really special."

Malham's goal came after one of Beitz's three saves, as the redshirt sophomore sent the ball back the other way. Malham, who leads the team with six assists this year, benefited from two assists from teammates Emily Russell and Stephanie Doyle.

"Steph beat the players down the line and got a really good cross in, then ER (Russell) redirected it, and I just happened to be in the right place at the right time," Malham said. "The defender was on me, and I knew I had to get out of her sight, so I tried backing up a little bit. ER more around her defender and got onto the ball, and I was able to do the same thing."

From there, it was just a battle to keep Missouri at bay. Beitz made two saves down the stretch, the final one with 2:15 to play, when she dove on the group to cradle a Tiger shot.

"All the credit goes to the backs -- they just make my job a lot easier," Beitz said of the defensive back line, led by reigning SEC Player of the Week Haley VanFossen. "The team in front of me is what helps me get shutouts. And this is a great confidence booster as we continue going into our home stretch of SEC games."

Beitz, who transferred in from Minnesota two years ago, admitted that there is added pressure late in close games, when one goal can make all the difference in the outcome.

"It was getting pretty scrappy in the box," she said. "(The Tigers') keeper can launch a ball. But I think our backs held the high line well, which gave me that space to come out and clear those balls. And I knew that if I missed the ball, Vanny (VanFossen) was right there behind me to clean it up. So that's awesome.

Arkansas will next host LSU at Razorback Field next Thursday at 6:30 p.m.

Sports on 09/28/2018