Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Lone goal enough for Russellville
FAYETTEVILLE — The boys soccer rivalry between Russellville and Siloam Springs added its next chapter Friday afternoon in another state championship game.
Wesl Robinson’s goal in the 34th minute was the game’s only score, as Russellville defeated Siloam Springs 1-0 in the Class 5A boys state championship at Razorback Field.
“I’m just doing whatever I can to help this team,” said Robinson, who was named the game’s Most Valuable Player. “They’re an amazing team. They put out a great effort every time. All I had to do was use my body against that one guy and get a sweet left-footed shot to win the game for us.”
The victory was the fifth state championship for the Cyclones, who won 6A titles in 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2018 under Coach Jared Fuller.
It’s the fourth time in the last five years that Russellville and Siloam Springs have played each other for the state title, with the Cyclones coming out on top three of the times.
“Man, that was one of the most intense finals I’ve been in, from the start whistle,” said Fuller, who won his fifth title as the Cyclones coach.
“It’s always like that the last 20 minutes, but from the start whistle we were back and forth.”
Russellville (19-4-1) came out the aggressor from the opening whistle and put a pair of shots on goal early that Siloam Springs goalkeeper Wyatt Church was able to save.
Church didn’t have a chance on Robinson’s rocket with 6:28 remaining in the first half.
Robinson took a pass from Andres Rincon and went with his left foot to the right side for the goal.
“Wesl, to his credit, we talked about it all week, he loves his left foot,” said firstyear Siloam Springs Coach Luke Shoemaker. “He kept trying to get it on it, and he hit a heck of a shot. That’s a special shot.”
Meanwhile, Russellville goalkeeper Jorge Mendoza made a pair of saves in the first half to keep the Panthers (18-6) off the scoreboard.
Mendoza stopped Eli Jackson’s shot midway through the first half, then stuffed Franklin Cortez on a one-on-one in the 38th minute.
“In the first half we had two really good chances,” Shoemaker said.
“Eli puts one on the keeper and Franklin in the box puts one on the keeper. So we had our chances. Sometimes it’s all about whose chance falls.”
Russellville outshot Siloam Springs 10-3 in the first half, but the match evened up in the second half, as the Panthers began to apply more pressure on the Cyclones’ side. Russellville outshot Siloam Springs 16-9 for the match.
Siloam Springs defeated Russellville twice in the regular season — 2-1 at Russellville on April 2 and 1-1 (3-1 PKs) in Siloam Springs on May 1.
This time around, the Panthers did not have senior midfielder Christian Marroquin, who broke his left foot in the final meeting with the Cyclones.
“I have a lot of respect for Siloam’s program,” Fuller said. “To be able to switch coaches and not lose a step and meet us right back here in the finals is amazing. I have a lot of respect for what Lukas is doing there. I know they have a hurt player [Marroquin], but they still gave us everything they had and it was a fantastic win for us.”