BENTONVILLE — The lesson Michael Devaney wants his Bentonville boys soccer team to learn this spring is a universal one.
“We need to learn how to win,” Devaney said of the Tigers, who won only three games last season. “We need to find a way to win the close games.
“We had our fair share of one-goal games last year, but they were losses. We need to find a way to turn those around and make them close wins.”
Inexperience became the biggest factor in Bentonville’s struggles. The Tigers used a multitude of freshmen and sophomores, but they came on late in the season and won three of their last seven games.
That bodes well for Bentonville this season. The Tigers will put nine returning starters on the fi eld when the season starts with a March 1 nonconference game at Springdale High.
“The basis of who we are won’t change this year,” Devaney said. “We have the nuts and bolts of the team still here, and this group will be a little bit older.
“We have players coming back with a lot of playing time last season. That’s a nice thing to have.”
Devaney stressed defensive improvement as something Bentonville needs in order to reach its goal — a trip to the state tournament after a two-year hiatus. He believes senior goalkeeper Eric Bracy, who missed much of last season with an injury, is one of the best in the 7AWest Conference at his position.
Junior Corbin Copeland, who played in Bracy’s absence, gives the Tigers two quality players at goal. Senior defender Michael Craig will also play a key role in Bentonville’s defensive scheme.
“We have not done that well on defense in the past,” Devaney said. “We need to tighten things up in the back, and we should be better with a couple of quality keepers.
“We also need to keep Michael healthy with the role he will play with our back four.”
Junior midfielders Brian Flores and Jack O’Connor will serve as vital parts of the Tigers offense. Flores scored six goals in the last five games, and O’Connor helps out with crisp passing to his teammates. Tyler Jordan, another junior, has experience and scored a goal in a win over Fort Smith Northside last spring.
Devaney likes what he has seen from some newcomers. Enrique Cervantes, a senior transfer, has enjoyed a good preseason, while Spencer Reeves has also caught Devaney’s eye.
“We lost about half of our base fitness level because of snow,” Devaney said. “But we’ve had some terrific days in preseason workouts, and our players have met the challenges set before them very well.”