SPRINGDALE — Jorge Gonzalez has been a bit of a marked man on a targeted team this high school soccer season. And the Springdale High senior doesn’t mind the attention at all.
Gonzalez, one of three captains for the Bulldogs this season, helped his team rise to the top of the state in dominating fashion last year. A perfect run through conference, followed with a 3-0 win against Little Rock Catholic in the state finals, left the Red’Dogs with a national ranking at the end of the season.
It also left Gonzalez, a junior forward at the time, with the Most Valuable Player honors in the state tournament.
Springdale entered the 2013 season with a definite target on its back. As did Gonzalez, after his dazzling postseason performance.
But added attention from opponents — and increased duties as captain — haven’t slowed down Gonzalez’s efforts on the field.
“Being a senior and a captain, it does apply a lot of pressure and everybody does look up to you,” Gonzalez said. “Especially after being MVP of the state tournament, that definitely applies a lot of pressure and high expectations.
“But I’m just glad to be out here playing and hoping everything goes my way.”
Gonzalez is just one of many scoring options and threats for a Springdale team which again appears to be a favorite to win a Class 7A title this year. But even though he can take over games with quickness and agility in the open field, Gonzalez is just as happy to see teammates get the glory.
“That’s what is great about him and why he gets to wear that captain’s band,” Springdale boys soccer coach D.J. Beeler said. “He understands that it’s a team sport and a team game. And he’s happy to win. As long as we’re winning games, he’s happy, whether that means he’s scoring or someone else is scoring.
“And the thing about it is he’s going to get his goals. He might go a game or two without one. But then he’ll record a hat trick in the next game. So he’s fine, and he’ll be there when it’s his turn to score. But when it’s someone else’s time to score, he’s fine with that as well.”
Gonzalez believes this year’s Springdale team, which is 16-2-1 overall and 6-0 in the 7A/6A-West, has the makings of another championship run. But with the pressure of a repeat, Gonzalez feels like the Bulldogs have grown into a different team in 2013.
“I think it’s a completely different team with a lot of different players this year,” Gonzalez said. “Our style has changed a little bit and we’re not as possessive. But I feel like we’re better going forward. We’re more offensive and more direct towards the goal.
“Right now we’re doing pretty good but we’re going to get even better when the state playoffs get here. When we go to state we can review all of our mistakes and work on all the little things and get even better for the future.”