After starting the year with a strong showing in nonconference play, the Ole Miss women’s soccer team will begin its “real season” on Friday when the Lady Rebels open up Southeastern Conference play with a road trip at Arkansas.

The Rebels (6-1-1) will travel to Fayetteville to take on an Arkansas team looking to rebound from its first loss of the season. That loss, a 2-1 double-overtime decision to TCU, dropped the Lady Razorbacks out of the top-25 rankings.

Ole Miss head coach Matt Mott heralded the performance of his team thus far in his weekly press conference on Monday, noting that experience and continuity of the back line were big factors in the two previous games, both wins for the Rebels.

Mott also praised his scorers, particularly the strong performances from senior forward/midfielder Mandy McCalla and senior forward Rafaelle Souza in last weekend’s matches.

“Certainly we’re strong up top, good in the back, but our midfield has been dominant,” Mott said.

Arkansas (7-1) is looking to build on its 5-0 start at home. Last year, the Razorbacks won only six games at home all season, and only three in the conference. Last week, they were the No. 25 team in the nation, according to the NSCAA poll. That was the first time the team had achieved a national ranking in program history.

Last season’s matchup in Oxford was a 4-1 win for the Rebels, led by two goals each from Souza and McCalla. Those two players are currently tied for the Rebels’ goal-scoring lead and will look to add to their totals against freshman goalkeeper Cameron Carter on Friday.

Friday’s match is scheduled for a 7 p.m. start in Fayetteville. The Lady Rebels will also wrap up nonconference play this weekend when they head home to face Arkansas-Little Rock at the Ole Miss Soccer Complex at 5 p.m. on Sunday.

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