Razorbacks win on road in NCAA Tournament debut

• by Soccer America , Nov 16, 2013

[OKLAHOMA STATE-ARKANSAS: Women] In its NCAA Tournament debut, Arkansas knocked off Oklahoma State, 2-1, on the road to advance to the round of 32. Tyler Allen's game-winner came in the 70th minute when her free kick from just inside midfield sailed into the box over the Cowgirl defense and bounced into the goal untouched.

“It’s huge,” said Arkansas head coach Colby Hale. “Women’s soccer is relevant, and it hasn’t been at our university in a while. I’m very proud of them. That was our team. It’s not always pretty, but it’s gutty. They fight, they battle and they win a lot.”

The Razorbacks struck first when Lindsey Mayo scored in the 34th minute, but the Cowgirls didn’t take long to equalize after the break when Madison Mercado took a long punt from goalie Michela Ongaro, dribbled past the defense and drilled a left-footed shot from 25-yards out.

Tyler Allen's goal was just her second of the year and ended a string of five straight Razorback losses to OSU. It also snapped a string of six straight NCAA tourney berths in which OSU had advanced to at least the second round.

“I told the girls to be disappointed tonight because we lost, but only one team’s season doesn’t end in tears and that’s the national champion,” said OSU coach Colin Carmichael. “This loss doesn’t feel any better or worse than losing in the Elite Eight -- you still lost and your season is over. It’s tough for the kids and tough for us. But I’m really proud of this group. We had one senior and one junior who play significant minutes, and these young players are going to get better."