Araujo’s hat trick lifts Bulldogs

SPRINGDALE 3, FS NORTHSIDE 2

SPRINGDALE -- Leo Araujo found Springdale Coach DJ Beeler in the locker room before Friday's game and told him he would score two goals against Fort Smith Northside.

"I didn't expect the third one to come in," Araujo said.

But it did. Araujo's third goal of the afternoon completed his third hat trick of the season and lifted top-seeded Springdale to a 3-2 victory over Fort Smith Northside in the quarterfinals of the Class 7A boys state soccer tournament.

Araujo's first goal put Springdale (18-5) up 1-0 at halftime, a lead it had thanks in large part to a pair of diving saves by senior goalkeeper Luis Rodriguez, including one on a Northside penalty kick.

"Every penalty kick we've given up in regulation this year, he's stopped," Beeler said.

Northside (15-8) tied it on an Angel Parga goal less than 45 seconds into the second half. Araujo's second goal gave Springdale a 2-1 lead with 26:21 left, but the Grizzlies answered again when Fredy Iturriaga scored off a corner kick with 17:32 left.

The Grizzlies, which beat Springdale in two of three regular-season meetings, controlled possession for most of the second half and threatened regularly. But Springdale's defense, bolstered by Rodriguez' instincts, managed to keep Northside off the scoreboard.

"I think we played fantastic and after playing them three games we were able to make some adjustments," Beeler said. "We had the benefit of having a week to prepare for Northside. I think some of that showed today. Tactically, we were in better positions on the field to make some of those things happen."

Springdale didn't get many scoring opportunities late, but Araujo took advantage on a breakaway, slipping the ball past a charging Chuy Parga for the game-winning goal with 10:15 left. There was contact as Araujo attempted to hurdle the Northside goalie and Araujo went down with an apparent leg injury. He didn't return, but he and Beeler both said he should be able to play in today's noon semifinal game against crosstown rival Springdale Har-Ber.

Northside threatened a few more times down the stretch, but Springdale held the Grizzlies off.

"I'm really proud of the way my guys fought," Northside coach Mauricio Maciel said. "That was probably their best game all season. They felt the pressure. They knew the importance of the game and they rose to the occasion. We just needed maybe a couple more lucky bounces, but hats off to Springdale."

Bentonville 3, Little Rock Catholic 2

Tyler Roberts had a goal and an assist to lift two-time defending state champion Bentonville past 7A-Central champion Catholic and into today's semifinals.

Roberts pushed the ball for about 30 yards downfield and scored from 13 yards out on the right side, giving the Tigers (15-5-1) a 2-1 lead with 2:03 before halftime. Roberts came from the right side and pushed the ball to Chase Hunter, who scored from short range in front of the goal and made it 3-1 with 12:39 remaining.

Justin Blair accounted for both Catholic goals, including one with 1:43 remaining to pull the Rockets (9-6-1) with one. Bentonville's other goal came on a penalty kick by Wyatt D'Spain in the first half.

Springdale Har-Ber 5, Little Rock Central 1

Rual Umana had a first-half hat trick, and Ivan Fuentes added two goals as Har-Ber dominated Central and guaranteed the final two rounds will be played by all 7A-West teams.

The Wildcats (11-10) did all of their damage after Sam Kim scored to give Central (10-6-1) a 1-0 lead. Umana tied it with his first goal, then added a penalty kick before his third goal came with 4:04 before halftime. Fuentes scored Har-Ber's go-ahead goal, then added his second with 1:53 before intermission.

Rogers 4, Rogers Heritage 3 (OT)

Jessie Ramirez made the most of an impromptu breakaway, scoring less than six minutes into the first overtime period to lift Rogers to a victory over crosstown rival Heritage and a spot in the semifinals.

The Mounties (14-7) scored the match's final two goals after trailing 3-2.

Angel Castro scored early in the second half to give Heritage (13-9) the 3-2 lead with nearly 35 minutes remaining, but Ramirez' first goal of the match evened the score with 22:50 left. Pedro Garcia and Erol Banuelos scored first-half goals for Heritage, the latter of which knotted the match at 2-2 midway through the half. Willie Hernandez and Jarrod Eisma scored for Rogers in the opening half.

Sports on 05/14/2016