University of Arkansas women’s soccer signs pair of goalkeepers

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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas Razorback soccer program added two goalkeepers, Lexi Gonzalez and Payton Woodward, to the roster for the 2020 fall season.

Gonzalez was a two-sport athlete at McAllen High School in Texas and originally committed to playing volleyball at Oregon State before deciding to come to Fayetteville. Her accolades on the soccer field include being named the 2020 All-Area Female Soccer Player of the Year by Rio Grande Valley Sports, a member of the 2020 Top Drawer Soccer All American Watch List, three-time District 30-6A Goalie of the Year, 2019 TASCO All State First-Team goalkeeper and 2019 VYPE South Texas Female Soccer Player of the Year. On the court the McAllen native became the first volleyball player from her school to be named to the All-State team by the Texas Girls Coaches Association and was named the 2019 District 30-6A volleyball MVP of the Year. She is the current record holder at McAllen High School in both kills and digs.

Woodward is a native of Fayetteville and has spent her last two seasons at Portland (2019) and Kentucky. She made six starts for the Wildcats in 2018, ranking in the top five in the SEC for saves per game, making 29 saves in seven appearances. Woodward won two state titles (2017, ’16) with the Arkansas Comets during club play and helped Fayetteville High School finish in the top four in back-to-back seasons at the state tournament, earning all-state, all-conference and NWA Democrat-Gazette Team recognition.