FORT SMITH -- Kristina Henry talked to her team about starting strong against a Fort Smith Southside team that had a lot of momentum entering Friday's soccer match.
Bentonville did just that at Jim Rowland Stadium.
The Lady Tigers scored two goals in the initial six minutes of the game and pulled away against the hosts for a 5-0 victory in the quarterfinals of the 7A girls state soccer tournament in Rowland Stadium.
"We talked about playing a team that had a really great day in the first round," Henry said. "They are playing at home with a lot of confidence. Stuff like that factors into games. This was a nice win."
Southside (16-8) scored nine goals in its first-round mercy rule victory against Rogers Heritage. But it was a much different story against Bentonville, the defending state champion.
"They are a good team," Southside Coach Jeremy Davis said. "You can't give a team like that gifts. We gave them two early there. I think that was the difference in the game."
Bentonville senior Lauren Hargus gave the Lady Tigers a quick 1-0 lead scoring just four minutes into the match.
Sophomore forward Tyler Anne Reash then added a goal two minutes later to give Bentonville a 2-0 advantage.
The Lady Tigers, who have won state titles seven of the last 10 seasons, didn't look back after that.
"It was good to get those two quick goals to calm everybody down," Henry said. "We started to play our game after that point. Always good to come out and play well."
Southside was able to keep itself in the game by not allowing another goal in the first half after giving up two quick ones to open the game.
Bentonville (20-3) was able to find its way in the second half, adding three more goals including one just after the break.
Senior midfielder Lauren Holly scored six minutes after halftime to extend Bentonville's lead to 3-0. The Lady Tigers were able to close out the game strong by adding two more goals by senior Victoria Mitchell.
Bentonville junior keeper Maddee East posted a shutout and saw just two Southside shots come her way.
Springdale Har-Ber 1, Mount St. Mary 0
Mount St. Mary tested Springdale Har-Ber junior keeper Mekenna Taylor early and often, but she didn't let anything pass her in the victory.
Har-Ber (15-6) junior Megan LaMendola scored the lone goal of the game 14 minutes into the contest. The Lady Wildcats' defense made the lead hold from there.
Sophomore forward Kate Gourde had one of the best chances for Mount St. Mary (11-7-1) to score off Taylor with about eight minutes left, but Taylor came up with the stop.
Cabot 4, Bryant 2
Cabot freshman Kiley Dulaney drew a penalty kick on a breakaway in the box, before senior Hadley Dickinson converted the try in the second half as the Lady Panthers pushed past Bryant in a second-round matchup.
Dickinson's goal answered a score from Bryant's Caroline Campbell that tied the game at 2-2 in the 66th minute.
Cabot (22-2) was able to extend its lead in the final two minutes with a score from junior Tristyn Edgar, her second of the match.
Edgar scored the opening goal of the game before Campbell converted a penalty kick for a score to tie it at 1-1 in the first half for Bryant (12-10).
Cabot retook the lead and carried a 2-1 advantage into halftime after Dulaney scored for the Lady Panthers.
Fayetteville 0, Little Rock Central 0 (5-4 PKs)
It took a full overtime and even extra penalty kicks for Fayetteville, but the Lady Bulldogs finally pulled away from the Lady Tigers in a second-round matchup.
Fayetteville (17-4) freshman Georgia Templeton delivered the game-winning penalty kick to take a 5-4 lead in the sudden death part of the overtime.
Little Rock Central (12-7-1) had its last penalty kick go off the bar before Templeton ended the game with her score.
Morganne Browning had a shot on goal for Fayetteville that was saved in the second 10-minute overtime period.
Fayetteville sophomore Regan Resz scored in regulation, but the score was negated because the Lady Bulldogs were ruled offsides.
Sports on 05/13/2017