Bulldogs Blow Past Van Buren

FAYETTEVILLE — A young Fayetteville boys soccer team turned to Coleson Young and some other more experienced veterans to lead the way Friday against Van Buren.

Young, a senior forward, scored the game’s first goal in the 15th minute and then helped put the game away with another unassisted score early in the second half at the 36:02 mark. Fayetteville also got two goals from junior Nicholas Kley and scores from seniors Ryan Starr and Jamey Morrison in controlling things pretty much from start to finish in a 7-1 win against the Pointers at Harmon Stadium.

“Basically with the older guys I’ve got, I asked them at the start of the year to try and set the standard,” Fayetteville boys soccer coach Steve Oliver said. “And so far they’re definitely helping to pull the younger ones along.”

Van Buren (3-14, 0-2 7A/6A-West Conference) put up little resistance most of the night. The Pointers had trouble gaining any offensive possession in the first half and rarely crossed midfield. It wasn’t until the 21:58 mark of the second half — when Fayetteville began pulling starters — that Van Buren was even able to get a shot on goal.

“They had the ball, they were holding onto the ball and we could just never really control the pace of the game,” Pointers coach Nathan Almond said. “They were in control the whole time.”

The Bulldogs (5-3-2, 1-1) had several more scoring opportunities in both halves, but just missed on many chances to extend the big lead. Still, Oliver was pleased with Fayetteville’s overall play.

“Possession wise I was very pleased,” Oliver said. “Not just with how we started but also how we finished, because we basically had all freshmen out there at the end of the game. But we kept going and kept playing our style of soccer.

“We were very motivated, but I have to give some credit to the two keepers. I thought the keepers tonight were outstanding.”

Fayetteville is back in action Tuesday when it hosts Siloam Springs.

Van Buren 0 1 — 1

Fayetteville 3 4 — 7

First Half

Fay — Young, 25:34

Fay — Kley, 20:51

Fay — Morrison, 8:06

Second Half

Fay — Young, 36:02

Fay — Kley, 25:24

Van — No. 10, 21:58

Fay — Starr, 16:35

Fay — Delery, 7:34

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