Bryant’s timid play tops Bulldogs
CONWAY—After a 15-2 regular season, the Lady Hornets prepared to have a run to the 6A state championship in back-to-back seasons. The Lady Hornets first challenge was getting past the Fayetteville Lady Bulldogs, which a day prior had defeated Central Conference rival Northside 3-0 to move to quarterfinals.
The Lady Hornets topped the Lady Bulldogs 1-0, and move on to the semifinals to face Bentonville.
“I think we came out timid and not ready to fight right away,” Bryant Coach Nicole Inman said. “We allowed them the opportunity to get more confident, so we struggled to get ourselves into the position to attack.”
The Lady Hornets’ first opportunity to take the lead came five minutes into the game when Ashlyn Thompson sent a high-sailing ball from 40 yards out which hit on the cross bar. The Lady Hornets took the rebound but missed a shot wide left.
The Lady Bulldogs’ first chance came on the next opposing possession as the Lady Hornet defense struggled to find a clearance and bobbled the ball around in their own box before goal keeper Addison Funk jumped on top of the ball.
Another chance came for the Lady Hornets (162) with 28:49 on the clock when Alyssa Fason crossed the ball across the box which took and awkward hit off Melinda Hernandez and went wide.
The Lady Hornets would manage to create multiple scoring opportunities that would miss just to the right
or left of goal.
A final opportunity came with 3:16 left in the first half when Fason shot all ball on frame forcing Fayetteville’s keeper to dive to her side.
The Lady Hornets would have to settle from the 0-0 draw at the halftime break.
The Lady Hornets one goals would come 14 minutes into the second half with 26:28 left to play when Maddie Humbard sent a rocket to the back of the net, which would ultimately be the deciding factor.
Other opportunities came late for the Lady Hornets but following the goal the Lady Hornets were able to control the momentum until the final whistle.
“I had some players today, that have not been able to get shots off, attack a lot and I’m thankful for that,” Inman said. “For the girls who are our normal goal scorers, they were not the ones who were getting shots off. Also playing on grass, the field is wider, it’s just like playing at Razorback Field. It’s different, it’s honestly a better soccer experience.”