FAYETTEVILLE — A lengthy delay was followed by a long pause.
Zoe Susi had stood in these positions before, the agonizing wait between the referee pointing to the penalty spot and the eventual shot. The No. 6 Arkansas soccer team needed it, trailing No. 2 Notre Dame 2-1 in the 81st minute.
Kennedy Ball whispered words of encouragement and a short prayer as she stepped to the spot, giving her shooter a confident grin as she approached.
Susi stood and paused, her eyes fixated on the ball and Fighting Irish goalkeeper Sonoma Kasica, who made a highlight-reel save to deny Ball minutes earlier.