SILOAM SPRINGS -- Searcy's boys soccer team punched its ticket to a second-round meeting with top-seed Siloam Springs with a 3-0 shutout victory over Greenwood on Thursday in the opening round of the Class 6A state soccer tournament.
Searcy made a strong showing in the first half, scoring a goal 10 minutes in, before netting a second goal nine minutes later. Greenwood came into the second half with renewed life, recording three shots in a row, but the Bulldogs were unable to find the back of the net.
"All season long, we have not been a first-half team," Greenwood coach Andrew Post said. "We let too much go in the first half."
Searcy's first goal came after a stretch pass downfield bounced over Greenwood's back line, where striker Johan Mottu collected the ball and sent a shot across senior goalkeeper Aric McKinney and into the top left corner of the goal.
The Lions found the top left corner again when Joseph Oliver received a pass out of a scrum at the top of the goal box with 22 minutes remaining in the half.
Searcy dominated the scoring chances in the opening half, outshooting the Bulldogs 11-6. Most of Greenwood's shots came from tough angles and longer distances, as the Bulldogs struggled to maintain pressure in the attacking zone.
"I kind of pumped them up a little bit to come out and start this state tournament. Probably the most complete game we've played all year," Searcy Coach Walter King said. "When we can put together a full game and can score, you know, we can be a threat."
The Lions withstood a late Greenwood push and added a second-half goal off an Oliver penalty kick, his second goal of the day.
Now the Lions must prepare to play the defending 6A champions on the Panthers' home field at noon today. King said he plans to play the same type of game, and that he hopes his team puts together a similar effort.
"They're a good team," King said of the Panthers. "It's always good to play the best."
BENTON 6, MARION 0
Garrett Bosley scored a hat trick and Matt Warrick had two headers for goals as Benton advanced to today's noon quarterfinals against Little Rock Hall (17-2), which received a first-round bye.
Aaron Norris added a goal for Benton (17-2-2), which scored three goals in each half.
Warrick's two headers came in the first half, while Bosley had a penalty kick goal and an assist. Bosley scored two goals in the second half and Norris added another.
JONESBORO 8, SHERIDAN 0
The Hurricane raced out to an early 5-0 lead and put in a final goal before halftime to make it 6-0 and cut the second half to 20 minutes.
Sophomore striker Joe Pacheco continued his record-breaking season with four goals and two assists, adding to his single-season state record of 55 goals.
Salisu Yahaya added 2 goals, while Cole McKinney and Oscar Dector also scored goals for Jonesboro (24-2), which advances to today's 4 p.m. quarterfinals against Russellville (20-2-2).
EL DORADO 7, PINE BLUFF 0
Addison Miller scored two goals as the Wildcats scored a mercy-rule victory against the Zebras.
Tyler Smith, Chase Cottrell, Jesus Loredo and Aidan Price added goals for the Wildcats (8-13-2), who advance to today's 4 p.m. quarterfinals against undefeated Mountain Home (17-0).
Sports on 05/12/2017