No. 19/16 Soccer falls in SEC opener at Arkansas

Thursday, September 10

Fayetteville, Ark.

8 p.m. CT

University of Texas

5-2-1, 0-1-0

Arkansas

3-3-1, 1-0-0

Team	1	2	Final F
Texas	0	1	1
Arkansas	3	0	3

Margueritte Bates addresses the team pregame at Razorback Field

No. 19/16 Soccer falls in SEC opener at Arkansas

09.10.2026 | Soccer

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

McDonald registers goal in third consecutive contest

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — No. 19/64 Texas dropped its first match in Southeastern Conference play, coming up short against Arkansas, 3-1, at Razorback Field on Thursday night.

Sophomore Ava McDonald scored for the third straight contest, but the Longhorns (5-2-1, 0-1-0 SEC) were unable to overcome a three-goal first-half deficit.

Arkansas (3-3-1, 1-0-0 SEC) found the back of the net three times across the first 34 minutes, as a trio of Razorbacks delivered tallies.

Bella Field opened the scoring in the eighth minute, clanging an attempt off the crossbar that landed just beyond the goal line to put Arkansas ahead, 1-0.

Less than 14 minutes later, Zoe Susi doubled the cushion, driving home a strike from 12 yards out.

Meanwhile, Kennedy Ball capped off the Razorbacks' offensive outburst, chipping a perfectly placed shot over Texas netminder Bayliss Flynn.

The reigning SEC Defensive Player of the Week finished with four saves in the defeat.

While Arkansas jumped out early, the Longhorns outshot the Razorbacks, 13-6, in the second half, highlighted by McDonald's tally.

In the 55^th minute, the 5-foot-6 forward sprung herself free from the Arkansas backline and snuck a right-footed rocket inside the near post.

Overall, Texas posted a 21-16 advantage in shots, including a 9-7 lead in attempts on target.

Up next, the Longhorns return home to host No. 8/5 Tennessee at Mike A. Myers Stadium on Sept. 18. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.