Texas soccer’s regular-season game against Arkansas over two months ago in Fayetteville, Arkansas, was a low-point breakdown. Allowing three goals and scoring one, the Longhorns’ play was unpredictable going into conference play.
In its first game since its historic win against undefeated Vanderbilt, the Longhorns looked reinvigorated going into the final stretch of the tournament.
Arkansas, which eliminated Kentucky from the conference tournament in its last game, played physically all season, as did Texas. Both attempted to move the ball downfield early, but defensive contests stopped their progress before they could create an attack.
In the 26th minute, however, Texas leaned into what has been its go-to strategy so far in the tournament. Texas freshman midfielder Caroline Swann found sophomore forward Ava McDonald downfield and sent a through pass.
A speedy McDonald smoothly received the pass and sent a shot through the legs of Arkansas junior goalkeeper Keegan Smith to put the Longhorns up 1-0.
Three minutes later, contact between Texas fifth-year midfielder Hannah Tate and Arkansas junior defender Madden McDonald in the goal box led to a penalty kick for Arkansas after an official review overturned the original ruling.
Arkansas fifth-year forward Zoe Susi sent a shot at the bottom right corner of the goal, barely slipping past Texas graduate goalkeeper Bayliss Flynn, equalizing the game for Arkansas late in the first half.
In the 50th minute, Texas pulled ahead again after a corner kick from junior midfielder Amalia Villarreal bounced off the foot of an Arkansas defender for a goal, putting Texas up 2-1.
As the second half came to a close, Arkansas’ offensive efforts ramped up. With just three minutes left in the game, senior Razorback defender Cora Hair landed the equalizer, tying the game 2-2, a score that would carry through the remainder of regulation.
Both teams settled in for overtime, consisting of two ten-minute periods in which the first team to score wins. Neither ten-minute period yielded a score as both teams continued to apply defensive pressure. A trip to the championship game would be decided from the penalty spot.
Sophomore goalkeeper Annis-Clara Wright, who prior to Thursday’s game had not allowed a penalty kick goal, took Flynn’s place in goal.
Wright blocked the first attempt by Arkansas. Texas junior midfielder Molly MacMillan scored on her attempt, putting Texas up 1-0 in the shootout.
After more back-and-forth, the contest came down to a must-make scenario for each team.
Wright blocked the final Razorback attempt, setting the stage for a Longhorn win.
This seemingly landed with McDonald, who approached for the final penalty kick in her 82nd minute of playing time.
With a slow-rolling shot to the bottom left corner, McDonald secured the victory for Texas.
Texas will play the winner of tonight’s game between South Carolina and Alabama in the tournament championship game at 1:30 p.m. this Sunday.
