Taylor’s 2 goals spark Cyclones
FAYETTEVILLE — Siloam Springs grabbed the early lead Saturday, but the Panthers were unable to keep Russellville from repeating as the Class 6A boys soccer state champions.
Russellville’s Taylor Allen scored two goals on his way to earning MVP honors as the Cyclones made it back-to-back state titles with a 2-1 victory at Razorback Field.
Allen scored with approximately 10 minutes left in the first half to tie the game, then scored again early in the second half to give the Cyclones (14-6) the winning margin.
It was the third meeting between the teams, who both play in the 7A/6A-Central Conference. Siloam Springs defeated Russellville 3-2 at Siloam Springs on April 14, but the Cyclones returned the favor at Russellville on May 5 with a 3-2 victory.
Russellville Coach Jared Fuller said he didn’t think two goals would be enough to win Saturday.
“As many goals as we scored in our last two matches, we were saying three goals is what you’ve got to have to win this,” Fuller said. “We were saying in the second half, ‘Let’s go score another goal and not defend the whole half.’
“I think that worked well for us. It was a back-and-forth game and not just us defending just because we had a lead.”
It didn’t start well for Russellville.
Siloam Springs (10-7-1) played a ball over the top and Aldair Umana got to it before Russellville goal keeper Saul Sierra and poked it through for a 1-0 lead.
Allen, a senior forward, tied the game late in the first half when he stole possession in the midfield, dribbled inside the 18-yard box, won another challenge and shot.
“Once I realized I had the shot, I just hit it as hard as I could and it went in the back of the net,” Allen said.
Siloam Springs Coach Chuck Jones said the Panthers were caught napping on the play.
“I think we got caught watching the ball once and lost track of the guy, and he was unmarked and snuck in there on us and put it in the net,” Jones said. “I think that was the difference.”
Allen scored again early in the second half on a counter attack. He put his head on the ball for a shot, which hit off the right post. He caught the rebound and scored.
“It came right back out to me, and luckily I was able to put it in,” Allen said.
It’s not the first time Allen has come up big this season.
“He’s always been a key player for us,” Fuller said. “In everything that we do, he holds the ball well for us. Even when he doesn’t score, we’ve got to have him on the field at all times.
“Today he stepped up and put two goals in the back of the net, and that’s what you expect out of a senior that’s your Mr. Cyclone and all those kind of things.”
The Panthers had several more chances but were penalized for offsides multiple times in the second half.
“We had some opportunities in the end,” Jones said. “Again, it’s a game of chances, a game of opportunities. They scored on two of their chances and we only scored on one of ours.”