SPRINGDALE — Evie Cannon began playing soccer at 4 years old because she was still too young to qualify for other youth sports in Springdale.
“My husband saw an ad in the newspaper and decided to sign her up,” said Patti Cannon, Evie’s mother. “We had never even seen a soccer game before she played in her first game.”
A star was born that day at the Tyson Regional Sports Complex when Evie Cannon made her soccer debut by scoring eight goals. Cannon is still scoring goals
— though not at that clip — but enough to continue her soccer career next year at Hendrix College in Conway.
For now, Cannon is concentrating on her senior year at Springdale Har-Ber, where she is the top goal scorer for the Lady Wildcats (5-2, 3-1 7A-West). Cannon had two goals during a 4-0 victory over Rogers Heritage last week.
“Evie has a strong foot that she’s developed over the years,” Har-Ber coach John Marshall said. “She makes great runs and finds the open net.”
Cannon is hopeful for another productive season after leading Har-Ber with 12 goals last season. Har-Ber had mostly an up-and-down year before finishing strong last spring.
Har-Ber finished 10-7-1 after being eliminated 3-2 by Mount St. Mary in the quarterfinals of Class 7A state tournament at Bentonville. The Lady Wildcats had posted three consecutive shutouts when they grabbed a quick 2-0 lead on Mount St. Mary after goals by Vanessa Reynoso and Adeline Williams. But Mount St. Mary tied the game at halftime and won it on a goal by Mackenzie Gordon with two minutes, 54 seconds left to play.
“Playing in the state tournament helped with our experience,” said Cannon. “It was tough to lose after being up 2-0 on Mount St. Mary. We’ve got to do a better job of holding a lead this year.”
Cannon played basketball at Har-Ber last year before deciding to quit to concentrate on soccer. She got off to a strong start with six goals, including three in one game against Springdale High.
Cannon is off to another strong start this year for the Lady Wildcats, who are competing in a tournament in Missouri this weekend after beating Rogers High 2-0 on Thursday. She has four goals, including one from about 30 yards in the game against Rogers Heritage.
“I’m trying to remain calm and put the ball in the net,” Cannon said. “Last year, I panicked on some shots and missed a chance at a goal.”
Har-Ber should be among the league leaders this year with Cannon, Williams, and goalie Madeline Slaton, all seniors, and junior Elise Reina, and sophomore Makayla Davis. The Lady Wildcats will return to conference play this week with games against Fort Smith Northside on Tuesday and Bentonville on Friday.
The Lady Tigers are the defending state champions in Class 7A.
“I really like our team this year,” Cannon said. “I expect us to be at the top, either in the finals or state finals.”
Evie Cannon
SCHOOL Springdale Har-Ber CLASS Senior HEIGHT 5-6 POSITION Forward NOTABLE Scored eight goals in the first game she ever played in youth soccer. … Led Har-Ber with 12 goals last season, including a hat trick (three goals) against Springdale High. … Scored two goals last week in win over Rogers Heritage. … Will continue her soccer career next year at Hendrix College in Conway.