This past weekend, Arkansas hosted Illinois State at the Jones Center in the first meeting between the two clubs. Friday night saw the team take control early as they controlled the pace of play throughout the first period. Sophomore Thomas Verble led the way with two goals in the first period. After a scoreless second period that was still dominated by the Hogs, Junior Jason Gifford extended the lead to 3-0 midway through the third frame. The Hogs walked away from this contest, 3-0, shutting out the Redbirds. Thomas Verble received player of the game honors and Junior Grady Reis was recognized for pitching a shutout in the net.
On Saturday, Arkansas would again dominate, with an early goal from Sophomore Connor Chapman. Following suit from game one, both the Hogs and the Redbirds failed to get on the scoreboard during the second period. The third period was one of the Razorbacks’ best of the season so far. Junior Captain Truman Hirschy started the scoring early in the frame, followed by freshman Cade Venuk eight minutes into the period. Following Venuk’s goal, the Hogs would rattle off four more goals in five minutes of play. Thomas Verble got his third goal of the weekend, Trevor Borlace got his first of the season, and Connor Chapman capped things off by completing his first ACHA hat trick. Overall, Sam Haynes and the Razorbacks shutout the Redbirds for a second straight night, 7-0. Connor Chapman received the Player of the Game honors, and the Hogs improved to 5-3 on the season. Freshman Nolan Hall made is ACHA debut for the Razorbacks.
Arkansas will be off for the next two weekends before hosting the Nebraska Cornhuskers on Friday 10/27 and Saturday 10/28 at the Jones Center in Springdale. Arkansas swept their series with the Cornhuskers in Lincoln last season. The two programs have a historic rivalry that has the seen the clubs meet on both the conference and national stage. Nebraska last qualified for the National Tournament in 2021-22 and finished as conference runner-up at the MACHA tournament to end their 2022-23 season.
