Arkansas entered the 2026 season as the No. 10 team in the nation, and their opening test came against Loyola Maryland in a tightly contested contest that ended in a 1‑1 draw.
The breakthrough arrived in the 28th minute when senior midfielder Kennedy Ball was fouled inside the penalty area, prompting Zoe Susi to step up and convert the spot‑kick, extending her flawless record to 3‑3 on career penalty attempts.
Arkansas dominated possession for much of the game, out‑shooting Loyola 16‑8 and earning eight corner kicks, yet the Razorbacks were unable to translate that pressure into a second goal, squandering several set‑piece opportunities.
In goal, Arkansas’ Keegan Smith logged a dangerous corner but did not record a save, while Loyola’s goalkeeper Hannah Goetzer made a diving stop in the 81st minute to preserve the equalizer after Reagan Mallia’s corner‑derived strike had tied the match ten minutes earlier.
Looking Ahead to Chapel Hill
The Razorbacks will now host the top‑ranked North Carolina Tar Heels on August 20 at Razorback Field, a game that will be streamed live on ESPNU and marks a marquee early‑season showdown.
North Carolina opened its campaign with victories over Fairfield and Quinnipiac, underscoring the challenge that awaits Arkansas as they seek to climb the rankings.