BENTONVILLE — The foundation is set for Bentonville’s girls soccer team to have another successful season this spring.
The Lady Tigers welcome back eight starters from a group that won the Class 7A state championship, meaning there aren’t many holes that coach Kristina Henry has to fill. Those voids, however, are fairly substantial ones.
Bentonville Lady Tigers 2013 Soccer Schedule
Date Opponent Time
Feb. 19 at Springdale Har-Ber# 5 p.m.
Feb. 25 Fort Smith Southside 7 p.m.
Feb. 26 at Tulsa (Okla.) Union 7 p.m.
March 1-2 NWA Showcase TBA
March 6 at Harrison 5 p.m.
March 15 at Little Rock Central TBA
March 28 Springdale Har-Ber* 5 p.m.
April 1 Carl Junction, Mo. 6:45 p.m.
April 4 Heart of American Invitational TBD
at Lee’s Summit, Mo.
April 9 Rogers High* 5 p.m.
April 11 at Rogers Heritage* 7 p.m.
April 16 at Siloam Springs* 5:15 p.m.
April 19 Springdale High* 5 p.m.
April 26 at Van Buren* 5:30 p.m.
May 3 at Fayetteville* 5 p.m.
May 9-11 Class 7A State Tournament TBD
'#'-benefit match
'*'-7A/6A-West Conference match
“Our defense is definitely a growth area, and our midfield is too,” Henry said. “We lost two midfielders in Holyn Marshall and Brittani Reagan, and those are some tough shoes to fill.
“But the players we have bring some strong experience to the team this year, and it’s a real nice, composed group.”
One thing Bentonville shouldn’t lack this spring is offensive firepower. Two-time player of the year and recent Kansas signee Tayler Estrada accounted for 17 goals and seven assists last season out of her midfielder position, even when opposing teams used multiple players to defend her.
Sophomore McKenzie Embry, last year’s Newcomer of the Year, provides the Lady Tigers with a quality one-two punch as she scored 14 goals, including the only one in the state championship. Goalkeeper Lexie Chitty returns to anchor Bentonville’s defense, while Maddie Young, Lauren Cowgur, Lauren Powers, Jordan Murray, Dyann Shade and Carly Henry also bring experience to the field.
“That’s a good core to build around,” Kristina Henry said. “For the players that are coming up from JV or new to the program, I think it’s going to be assuring to them that those experienced players will make their transition a lot easier.”
As far as filling the vacated spots, Henry said those are still to be determined, and it could come by committee. There are two players tat are vying for playing time at the outside midfielder position, and there are three or four players that are being rotated during practice at another midfielder spot.
Sophomore Morgan Freehling should see an significant role in Bentonville’s plans this season. Henry also sees promise from freshman Ansley Haikey and wants to get her involved.
“The girls really competing for those spots,” Henry said. “We’ll see what happens during these next couple of weeks.”
The schedule won’t be an easy one. In addition to the 7A/6A-West Conference schedule, Henry has added nonconference matches against former league foe Fort Smith Southside, as well as Tulsa (Okla.) Union and Carl Junction, Mo.
Bentonville will also participate in the Heart of America Invitational at Lee Summit, Mo.
“I take the same approach every year,” Henry said. “I schedule the toughest preseason I can, and I have to do that because we know everybody brings their best game.
“In conference play, you have to bring your best game every day. Look at the difference between us and Fayetteville last year — first seed and third seed, penalty kicks. So I can’t soften the preseason. We have to be tested early on.”