Springdale High, Rogers Heritage split

SPRINGDALE — Springdale High boys soccer coach D.J. Beeler said it was a different team that jumped in front early Tuesday evening and cruised to a 6-0 win over Rogers Heritage in Jarrell Williams Bulldog Stadium.

And Beeler wasn’t speaking figuratively.

A little more than three weeks ago, the Red Bulldogs struggled to earn a 1-0 win over the War Eagles.

“The team that played against them the first time, that was a different team,” Beeler said. “Not just mentality-wise or just growing up as a team. They were actually different people. Enough to make a big difference.” Junior Leo Araujo scored the first two goals in the first 15 minutes, both assisted by freshman Salvador Gonzalez. Springdale added another on a goal by Antonio Cristobal to lead 3-0 at halftime.

Heritage ( 4- 11- 2, 2- 9) missed on some scoring chances in the first half, but had very few in the final half.

Springdale, which evened its conference record at 5-5, added three more goals in the second half by Jose Martinez, Jorge Marquez and Felix Marquez to cruise to the win.

It’s the first time the Red’Dogs have managed back- to- back conference wins this season and Beeler is hoping to continue to momentum.

“We’re hoping this turns into a winning streak,” Beeler said. “If we’re back on the right track, maybe we can salvage this season and make some noise here at the end of the year. The one’s that are here, I feel, are the right kids and we’re finding things that work for us. Now the task is for us to stay focused.”

Springdale hosts Fort Smith Southside on Friday.

GIRLS ROGERS HERITAGE 3, SPRINGDALE HIGH 0

Baileee Russell scored two goals and Emily Seiler added two assists to help the Lady War Eagles clinch a spot in the Class 7A state tournament with the win.

Heritage ( 7- 8 , 4 - 6 7A-West) led only 1- 0 at halftime, but Seiler fed Alexa Earp for a goal midway through the second half and Russell added her second goal of the night. The Springdale keeper deflected a Heritage shot initially, but Russell was there for the follow.

Lady War Eagles coach Craig Frank acknowledged his team had trouble breaking through against the Lady Bulldogs keeper, but kept the pressure on.

“It took us a while. We put a few right at her, then we found out she could dive a few times, too,” Frank said. “She held them in the game. We had like 20 shots tonight. Our defense played solid. We didn’t give them a lot of opportunities.

“We used our space the second half. It took a while, but we finally took control.”

Heritage plays host to Fayetteville on Thursday for senior night.