Near-save not enough for Tigers
BOYS
SPRINGDALE 1, LR CENTRAL 0
FORT SMITH — Little Rock Central goalkeeper Hunter Weber was in position to make the save, and he got his body on the ball as it headed for the net.
He just couldn’t hold on to it.
Erik Batres’ goal with 50 seconds remaining in the first half was just enough offense for Central as Springdale defeated Central 1-0 in the semifinals of the Class 7A boys soccer state tournament at Mayo-Thompson Stadium.
The Bulldogs (18-1) have typically won in high-scoring fashion this season, but they relied on defense to secure a spot in Friday’s state championship game. Springdale had lost in the state semifinals three consecutive years.
“It’s great to make it past this game — because the past three years, this is where our season has ended,” Springdale Coach D.J. Beeler said. “So that’s great, but we’re not really reflecting on it right now. ... We’re just going to turn our attention to next Friday because it wasn’t a goal to make the final, It was a goal to win the final.”
Springdale and Little Rock Central (11-4) were on the verge of heading into halftime scoreless, but Batres changed that at the last minute. The sophomore booted a shot from the left side that was initially stopped by Weber, but the ball slipped past him and rolled into the net.
“Unfortunately, our keeper had it and [it] either rolled backwards, pushed backwards, whatever,” Little Rock Central Coach Jennie Cooper said. “Anytime it goes over the line, it’s a goal. It was an unfortunate goal. It was lucky for them.”
Central had used both its defense and Weber in the net to bottle up Springdale’s attack for nearly all of the first half. But Batres’ shot gave the Bulldogs a lead they never relinquished, despite several opportunities for the Tigers in the second half.
“Luckily he put enough pace on it. The goalkeeper had a bead on it, but just couldn’t hang on,” Beeler said. “A little too much pace on it.”
Little Rock Central came up short on several chances to take the lead in the first half, including two during a one-minute stretch. Hayden Heverling booted a free kick too high with 13:41 left in the first half, and he missed another opportunity at 12:52 when his shot at an open goal also sailed high. LITTLE ROCK CATHOLIC 2, BENTONVILLE 1
Morgan May scored two goals, including the game-winner in overtime, as Little Rock Catholic defeated Bentonville to advance to its fourth consecutive Class 7A state championship game.
May broke a 1-1 tie when he made a difficult shot from a few yards out in the fourth minute of the overtime period. It was the senior forward’s fourth goal in two state tournament games.
“He was able to get his body turned and look at the goal,” Little Rock Catholic Coach Ryan Lawrence said. “I tell the kids when they get in that part of the field to take a chance. Even the smallest bit of space is enough to score a goal, and he saw it and he was confident.”
Little Rock Catholic will attempt to capture a state title when it faces Springdale at 4 p.m. Friday in Fayetteville.
Hector Ramos gave Bentonville an early lead with a goal in the 30th minute, but it didn’t last. Catholic tied the game at on May’s first goal in the 35th minute.
“We lost some concentration right before halftime and got punished,” Bentonville Coach Mike Devaney said. “And ultimately that was the difference in the game.”