Tigers get jump on Mavs

FORT SMITH — Kristina Henry talked to her team about starting strong against a Fort Smith Southside team that had a lot of momentum entering Friday’s soccer match.

Bentonville did just that at Jim Rowland Stadium.

The Lady Tigers (20-3) scored two goals in the initial six minutes of the game and pulled away against the hosts for a 5-0 victory in the quarterfinals of the 7A girls state soccer tournament in Rowland Stadium.

“We talked about playing a team that had a really great day in the first round,” Henry said. “They are playing at home with a lot of confidence. Stuff like that factors into games. This was a nice win.”

Southside (16-8) scored nine goals in its first-round mercy rule victory against Rogers Heritage. But it was a much different story against Bentonville, the defending state champion.

“They are a good team,” Southside Coach Jeremy Davis said. “You can’t give a team like that gifts. We gave them two early there. I think that was the difference in the game.”

Bentonville senior Lauren Hargus gave the Lady Tigers a quick 1-0 lead scoring just four minutes into the match.

Sophomore forward Tyler Anne Reash then added a goal two minutes later to give Bentonville a 2-0 lead.

Bentonville made it 3-0 early in the second half on senior midfielder Lauren Holly’s goal and added two more goals from senior Victoria Mitchell.

SPRINGDALE HAR-BER 1, MOUNT ST. MARY 0

Mount St. Mary tested Springdale HarBer junior keeper Mekenna Taylor early and often, but she didn’t let anything pass her in the victory.

Har-Ber (15-6) junior Megan LaMendola scored the lone goal of the game 14 minutes into the contest.

Mount St. Mary finished 11-7-1.

CABOT 4, BRYANT 2

Cabot freshman Kiley Dulaney drew a penalty kick on a breakaway in the box, before senior Hadley Dickinson converted the try in the second half as the Lady Panthers pushed past Bryant in a second-round matchup.

Dickinson’s goal answered a score from Bryant’s Caroline Campbell that tied the game at 2-2 in the 66th minute.

Cabot (22-2) was able to extend its lead in the final two minutes with a score from junior Tristyn Edgar, her second of the match.

Edgar scored the opening goal of the game before Campbell converted a penalty kick for a score to tie it at 1-1 in the first half for Bryant (12-10).

Cabot retook the lead and carried a 2-1 advantage into halftime after Dulaney scored for the Lady Panthers.

FAYETTEVILLE 0, LR CENTRAL 0 (5-4 PKS)

The Lady Bulldogs (17-4) defeated the Lady Tigers (12-7-1) in a second-round matchup.

Fayetteville freshman Georgia Templeton delivered the game-winning penalty kick to take a 5-4 lead in the sudden death part of the overtime.