Decatur continues march to playoffs with conference win
DECATUR — In the final home appearance of their high school career, seven Decatur Bulldog senior soccer players, Andres Revolorio, Poli Xiong, Steven Lucero, Edger Herrera, Enrique Rubi, Mario Cardona and Yeremy Gomez, went out on a high note with yet another conference win, this time over the Bergman Panthers.
Just before the start of the match at Bulldog Stadium in Decatur Thursday night, the seven seniors had their moment in the spotlight as each was introduced to the fans present in the stands when they began their march from the east sideline. When they reached the midfield, each was presented with an autographed soccer ball with players’ and coaches’ names. The balls were presented by head coach Daniel Meyers, assistant coach Kelby Varner and volunteer assistant coach Mike Eckels. At the conclusion of the ceremony, each senior player had five minutes for photographs. Then it was time to play soccer.
It was a real battle between the Bulldogs and Panthers during the open minutes of the first half, with both teams attacking each other’s goals. Strong goalkeeping by Decatur’s Ben Watkins and the Panthers’ goalie repelled each attack. But then Decatur’s Edger Herrera made a run on the left side of the net and put the ball past the Panther goalkeeper for the first point of the contest.
About five minutes later, Steven Lucero went on the offensive and fired one into the net for Decatur’s second point.
Later in the half, Lucerio landed two more goals to increase the Bulldogs’ lead to four. And, as the half was winding down, Enrique Rubi made a successful run on the Panther goal to increase the Bulldog lead to five going into the break.
The first 10 minutes of the second half were just as exciting as the first for Bulldog fans. Bryan Ruiz led off the scoring drive with a goal, increasing the lead to six. Soon Mario Cardona found the goal for his first goal of the match. Lucero hit his fourth goal of the night, followed by one from Devin Thor to increase the lead to 9. Finally, Cardona hit his second goal, giving the Bulldogs a 10-0 lead.
Because of the Arkansas Activities Association’s mercy rule, the time was cut in half, but not before the Panthers denied the Bulldogs a shutout after slipping the ball past backup goalie Robert Thang for the only Bergman score of the night.
When time ran out, the Decatur Bulldogs had a final home victory for the season, 10-1, over the Bergman Panthers.
The Bulldogs were to be on the road May 2 for the closest conference contest of the season, traveling to Centerton to take on the Life Way Christian Warriors on the soccer field behind First Baptist Church of Centerton. The Lady Bulldogs were also to be back in action after a week off.
The final game of the regular season is a makeup game against the Highlanders and Lady Highlanders on May 4 in Eureka Springs. Game time for the girls’ contest begins at 5 p.m. with the boys’ contest to follow.