VAN BUREN — It wasn’t the start to the game Springdale coach Donald Beeler was hoping for Tuesday at Blakemore Field, but he will gladly take the final result.
Springdale gave up the opening goal of the game but was able to bounce back to pull away with a 4-2 victory against Van Buren in a 6A-West Conference girls soccer match.
The Lady Bulldogs were able to snap a six-game losing streak to pick up their first conference win of the season. The top six teams from the conference make the playoffs, so Springdale was able to keep its state tournament hopes alive with the victory.
“This was a must-win, for sure,” Beeler said. “We have three games that were close the first time around in conference play coming up. We are hoping if we have improved the last few weeks, it will show itself.”
Van Buren was able to take an early 1-0 lead just 10 minutes into the game when sophomore leading scorer Joselyn Recinos was able to find the back of the net. She scored on a lengthy free kick that sailed in for a goal.
“We have 10 seniors, and they have been with us since the beginning and have worked hard for us,” Van Buren coach Jerry Don Brasuell said. “We’ve had underclassman step up for us as well like Recinos. She has been big for us the past two seasons.”
Springdale responded about five minutes later to tie the game at 1-1 with a goal from Arlene Delgado. The Lady Bulldogs were able to get the score following a corner kick.
The game stayed tied at 1-1 heading into the break despite Springdale (5-9-1, 1-6) having a couple good looks at the post.
The majority of the first half was played with Van Buren (1-13, 0-7) playing defensive, as Springdale was able to finish with 19 shots while Van Buren was limited to four before the break.
The Lady Bulldogs had opportunities to score with eight first-half shots on goal, but Van Buren’s keeper was able to keep them out of the net.
Springdale was able to achieve much more success finding the back of the net after the break to help pull away with the road win. The Lady Bulldogs had three second-half goals.
“It was a tale of two halves,” Beeler said. “I didn’t think we were very focused on the bus and before the game. I warned the girls about that, and it played out in the first half. We responded at halftime though. I was happy to see that.”
Daniela Avila gave the Lady Bulldogs a goal to make it 2-1 just 10 minutes into the second half with a header off a corner kick. It was a lead they would never give back up.
In the 58th minute of the game, Erin Christy extended Springdale’s lead out to 3-1 with a goal.
“Seeing the ball in the back of the net was big for us in our confidence moving forward,” Beeler said. “It was good to see us finish our opportunities.”
Van Buren was able to cut into the edge to make it just a 3-2 lead with 20 minutes left in the game with a score from Carlie Nguyen.
Springdale then was able to put the game well out of reach with a goal with just four minutes left in the game from Heather Gonzalez to make a 4-2 advantage.
Springdale was able to control most of the game again in the second half forcing Van Buren to play defensive most of the match with high shot volume.
“This conference is a grind,” Brasuell said. “We face relentless teams with a lot of athleticism. It’s hard to play a full 80 minutes against good teams. We are trying to keep ourselves in games.”
ROGERS HIGH 2,
ROGERS HERITAGE 1
The Lady Mounties (14-1, 7-0) snapped a 1-1 halftime tie to remain undefeated in 6A-West Conference play.
Jourdan Badely and Leslie Barrales accounted for the Rogers goals. Ruth Duran scored off an assist from Ally Ribar for Heritage (8-5, 4-3) to tie the match 1-1 in the first half.
BENTONVILLE HIGH 1,
BENTONVILLE WEST 1 (4-2 PKS)
Bentonville needed a shootout to defeat West and claim its second win this season over the Lady Wolverines as Bre East recorded saves on a pair of penalty kicks.
Both teams were scoreless at halftime, but Angelina Diaz scored to give Bentonville (13-2, 6-1) a 1-0 lead. That lasted until Sydney Williams scored on a penalty kick for West (6-6, 3-4).
Ginger Olson, Megan Sattler, Angelina Díaz and Tyler Ann Reash hit penalty kicks for the Lady Tigers while Brianna McSpadden and Emma Ferigni scored for the Lady Wolverines.
BOYS
BENTONVILLE HIGH 3,
BENTONVILLE WEST 2
Johnny Merlos converted a rebound into a goal with 3 minutes left in regulation as Benton-ville edged West at the Tiger Athletic Complex.
Wyeth McKean had two goals in the first half as Bentonville (8-3, 5-2) led 2-0 with less than 20 minutes left in the first half, but Collin Higgins pulled West (8-4, 4-3) within 2-1 with 6:37 before halftime. Tom Shultz then scored the tying goal with 12: 48 left to play.
Rick Fires can be reached at rfires@ nwadg.com or on Twitter @NWARick.