Arkansas soccer falls scoreless in first shutout loss of season

Information from Arkansas Communications is included in this story.

The Razorbacks thought they had life in the second half when senior forward Bella Field headed home a corner kick in the 61st minute.

Officials waved it off after defender Makenzie Malham was called for a foul on North Carolina goalkeeper Peyton Trayer.

That was as close as the Hogs would get.

Arkansas dropped to 0-2-1 following a 2-0 setback against No. 7 North Carolina on Thursday night at Razorback Field.

It marked the first time this season the Razorbacks failed to put a ball in the net.

North Carolina moved to 3-0-0 and controlled the match from the opening whistle.

The Tar Heels forced two saves inside the first 15 minutes, one from junior goalkeeper Keegan Smith and another off a team defensive stop.

The turning point came when North Carolina challenged a no-call in the 18-yard box involving sophomore forward Natalie Wagner.

Officials reversed course and awarded a penalty kick.

Midfielder Summer Denigan buried the attempt with a low shot to the right side, marking the second penalty Arkansas has surrendered this season.

Tar Heels doubled the lead before halftime

Two minutes after the penalty conversion, forward Lilliah Blum finished off a corner kick to push the North Carolina lead to 2-0.

Arkansas didn’t register its first shot until the 27th minute, when sophomore forward Vailana Tu’ua curled a strike just wide of the right post.

Smith kept the deficit manageable with three saves before the break.

Still North Carolina held a commanding edge in shot attempts, out-shooting the Hogs 10-2 at halftime and leading in corner kicks 4-3.

The second half didn’t bring much relief for Arkansas beyond the disallowed goal. North Carolina finished the night ahead 19-5 in total shots and 9-4 in corner kicks.

Trayer made two saves in net for the Tar Heels.

Arkansas now turns its attention to a home date with No. 23 Clemson set for Aug. 27 at Razorback Field.

Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. and the match will stream on SEC Network Plus.

Key takeaways

• Arkansas fell to 0-2-1 after suffering its first shutout of the season in a 2-0 loss to No. 7 North Carolina
• A goal from Bella Field was disallowed in the 61st minute due to a foul in the box
• The Hogs host No. 23 Clemson on Aug. 27 at 6:30 p.m. at Razorback Field