UA falls in title game

LSU outscored the University of Arkansas soccer team 4-1 in penalty kicks Sunday to win the SEC Tournament championship in Orange Beach, Ala. Arkansas failed to win in the championship game for the third consecutive season and for the fifth time since 1993.

LSU outscored the University of Arkansas women’s soccer team 4-1 in penalty kicks Sunday to win the SEC Tournament championship in Orange Beach, Ala.

LSU freshman Abbey Newton’s penalty kick clinched the Tigers’ first SEC championship in their second title game, while Arkansas failed to win in the championship game for the third consecutive season and for the fifth time since 1993. The Razorbacks (13-4-4) lost in the championship against Florida and Texas A&M the previous two seasons.

The game was tied 1-1 after the 90-minute regulation and two 10-minute overtime periods. LSU (13-6-3) made all four of its penalty-kick attempts against Arkansas goalkeeper Taylor Beitz.

Arkansas fell behind 3-0 in the penalty-kick round after junior Stefani Doyle had an attempt saved by LSU goalkeeper Caroline Brockmeier, and sophomore Taylor Malham’s attempt along the ground went off the left post. Haley Van- Fossen made the Razorbacks’ third attempt to pull Arkansas within 3-1 before Newton’s game-winning goal.

Arkansas scored the game’s first goal on Malham’s header in the 13th minute. Her fifth goal was a rebound from Doyle’s shot that ricocheted off the crossbar. Malham headed the ball just past the outstretched hands of Brockmeier and put the ball inside the left post.

LSU tied the game 1-1 on a kick outside the 18-yard box by freshman Shannon Cooke in the 72nd minute. Cooke, who did not score a goal in the regular season but scored twice in the tournament, placed her shot in the top right corner past the diving Beitz.

Arkansas outshot LSU 20-16, but only 3-1 on goal. The Tigers avenged a 2-1 loss to the Razorbacks in double overtime on Oct. 4 in Fayetteville.

The Razorbacks are expected to host a first-round game in the NCAA Tournament on Friday or Saturday. The NCAA selection show is scheduled to air at 3:30 p.m. today on NCAA. com.