HOT SPRINGS -- The Hot Springs Trojans overcame a one-goal deficit in both halves to defeat rival Hot Springs Lakeside 3-2 on Josue Hernandez's 75th-minute header in the Class 5A state boys semifinals Saturday at Reese Memorial Stadium.
"When I started coaching eight years ago, in the classification I was in, the first state game of my coaching career I watched Clarksville and De Queen play," Hot Springs Coach Cory Sturdivant said. "Just watching that game on that stage, it was on a whole different level. In that first year, I knew that this was my passion and this is what I wanted to do. ... To get into that final game is a great feeling."
Down 1-0 after the first half, Hot Springs put up three second-half goals, starting with Erick Guadron taking a pass from Benji Alvarez near midfield and dribbling around every Lakeside (12-9) defender for a close-range look and a 1-1 tie in the 47th minute.
"We preach pass, pass, pass, but sometimes when the game is on the line, the playmaker is going to decide whether he wants to pass or shoot," Sturdivant said. "We knew he was going to try, and he was able to succeed. That gave us a little momentum swing and got us back into it."
The lead didn't last long when Hot Springs' defense gave the ball away to Lakeside midfielder Jack Butler in the 50th minute. Butler passed ahead to Spencer Plumley who overpowered Hot Springs goalkeeper Mannie Santillan from close range for his sixth goal of the tournament.
"[Plumley] had a great tournament," said Lakeside Coach Craig Moses. "I knew coming into the tournament he was starting to flow a little bit, starting to pick up his play a little bit, and he had a great tournament."
In the 59th minute, Guadron scored his second equalizer, settling a pass, this time from Alvarez, and firing into the corner of the net for his seventh goal of the tournament and his 47th on the season.
The Trojans' second-half intensity paid off with Hernandez's first career postseason goal. Guadron dribbled down the left side of the box and crossed to his freshman teammate, who headed in his 20th goal of the year.
Sports on 05/15/2016