Tag: Mark Foster

Little Rock falls to Missouri State

September 1, 2019

By UALR SPORTS INFORMATION

LITTLE ROCK – The Little Rock soccer team (1-3-1) fought hard at home against a quick Missouri State team, falling 2-1 after a strong attempt at equalizing the match. Doro Greulich scored her first goal of the season in the first appearance of her senior campaign, soaring a well-placed shot into the net after being awarded a free kick right outside the box.

Missouri State started off the game with the control, earning a goal in the 11th minute. However, the Trojans were right in the midst of the action, creating several opportunities of their own, ultimately being stopped by an agile Bear goalie. MSU struck again at the 83rd minute following a well-executed cross, but Little Rock refused give up and earned a goal of their own soon after.

“I think we’re actually playing some really good soccer,” said head coach Mark Foster. “I know we’re not getting the results that reflect that, but that’s the reality of college sports. We’re just a little short, even though some of our girls played their best game of the season. If we stay positive, I think we’re going to learn the lessons and figure it out soon.”

Little Rock looked lively, despite competing in the third game within the past five days. The Trojans registered 9 shots to the Bears’ 8, with five on goal by five different players. Along with Greulich’s, Bergros Asgeirsdottir, Fanney Einarsdottir, Mari Young, and Ziva Payer each notched on-target shots. Little Rock also managed to earn 11 free kicks compared to Missouri State’s three, helping the offensive action.

The Trojans will take the next couple of days to regroup before the team travels to Texas on Thursday, Sept. 5, to take on TCU at 7 p.m.

Little Rock Soccer falls to Tulsa

August 30, 2019

By LITTLE ROCK SPORTS INFORMATION

LITTLE ROCK – The Trojan soccer team (1-2-1) was unable to defeat a tough Tulsa team this evening, dropping the road match 3-1. Julia Edholm scored both the team’s and her own second goal of the season in just the fourth match of her collegiate career. Thanks to junior Morgan Smocovich’s cross from the corner, the freshman was able to sink the ball into the net at the 56th minute.

Tulsa earned two goals in the first half at the 17th and 24th minutes, but Little Rock responded in the second before their opponents sealed the deal in the 79th minute.

“We weren’t able to take our chances and they were,” said head coach Mark Foster. “That was the difference – we weren’t able to execute; they were.”I’m delighted at the team’s response to two goals down. They didn’t give up and instead kept fighting. I thought we were going to get an equalizer, but I’m proud of the effort overall.”

The game was quite even for long periods of time, and the Golden Hurricanes provided relentless effort for the Trojan defense to counter, firing off 20 shots. Nevertheless, goaltender Julia Curatolo made four excellent saves while in the box the entire game, while the Tulsa goalie was unable to stop Little Rock’s on-target shot.

Along with her goal, Edholm also registered one shot. Teammates Abril Lucio, a sophomore, and Peyton Laughley, a junior, also joined her with one apiece.

The Trojans will return to their home at Coleman Sports Complex this Sunday, Sept. 1, hosting Missouri State at 1 p.m. For more information on the upcoming match, click here.

For the latest information on Little Rock Soccer, make sure to check out LRTrojans.com. You can also find the team on social media at @LittleRockSOC on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Trojans Take Home Opener for First Victory of 2019

August 28, 2019

By Little Rock Sports Information

LITTLE ROCK- Little Rock grabbed their first win of the season in their home opener against Grambling State as Julia Edholm’s 81st minute header gave the Trojans the game-winning goal in their 1-0 victory.

“In the first half we were really nervous,” said Head Coach Mark Foster. “We talked about it at halftime and we gave the girls some solutions to what was going on out there and we played much better. I think it was a win that the girls need for their confidence and once you get that first win everything starts to settle down. We’re really thankful for all the fans that came out tonight, as well as the people for the athletic department and the school who made it a great night.”

Grambling State came out with some lively play from the start, dominating possession in the early minutes. However, the Little Rock defense held strong, allowing just one shot in the first half.

Morgan Smocovich fired two shots from long range, including a driven free kick in the 65th minute, but was denied by the Tigers’ goalkeeper.

Little Rock did well to get back into the game in the second half, winning possession high up the pitch to create solid scoring opportunities.

Mari Young was extremely effective in the attack, starting the match in the striker position. She did well to create space in the attacking third and continually won free kicks near the penalty area.

The game-winning moment came in the 81st minute when the Trojans won a free kick about 35 yards from the goal. Smocovich delivered a wonderful lofted ball near the penalty spot and Edholm rose above the Grambling State defense to flick her header into the back of the net and score the first goal of her Little Rock career.

Julia Curatolo continued her great form between the posts, making one save and earning her second shutout of the season. The redshirt-freshman has now played 245 minutes without allowing a goal.

The Trojans improve to 1-1-1 on the season while they hand Grambling State their first loss of the season as they fall to 2-1 overall.

Little Rock gets back to action Aug. 30 at 5 p.m. when they head to Tulsa, looking for back-to-back wins.