FAYETTEVILLE — One team heard about getting off to a fast start Friday night at Harmon Stadium. The other team actually delivered the quick strike.
Fayetteville’s soccer players were warned in pregame that the early minutes of Friday’s 7A/6A-West Conference showdown with defending state champion Springdale High would be critical. But it was the Red Bulldogs who came out strong and fast, getting a goal from Erick Batres just 59 seconds into the match to set the tone.
Springdale continued the quick attack approach — adding a second-half score just 24 seconds after Fayetteville had scored for the first time — to build enough of a cushion before holding off a late Purple’Dog rally in a 3-2 win at Harmon Stadium.
“I was really pleased with our start, obviously coming out and scoring in the first 59 seconds,” Springdale coach D.J. Beeler said. “That comes from a kid who has been out for two weeks with an injury and he was excited to get out here and play.
“That’s one of the characteristics of this team is we respond well. Whether we come back and get a quick goal or come out and score, we usually respond well.”
Fayetteville (7-5-2, 3-3 7A/6A-West) had plenty of opportunities after falling behind 2-0 at intermission. Ryan Starr’s header found the net in the sixth minute of the second half to pull the Purple’Dogs to within 2-1. Richard Hudson then kept Fayetteville alive late in the contest with a clear shot from the left side to get the deficit back to 3-2.
But allowing two quick goals proved to be a bit too costly for Fayetteville.
“We had an interesting start, right after I spoke about getting off to a fast start we give up that goal. So that was a little disappointing,” Fayetteville boys soccer coach Steve Oliver said. “But overall we played well. We talked at halftime about coming out and winning the half and I thought we did.
“So the effort and the intensity was there.”
Springdale (16-2-1, 6-0) will play Springdale Har-Ber on Friday for the conference championship. Fayetteville closes out the conference season hosting Bentonville on Friday.
SPRINGDALE HIGH 3, FAYETTEVILLE 2
Springdale^2^1^—^3
Fayetteville^0^2^—^2
First Half
Spring — Batres, 39:01
Spring — Castro, 4:24
Second Half
Fay — Starr, 34:09
Spring — Villavueva, 33:45
Fay — Hudson, 6:20