War Eagles Look To Increase Scoring Opportunities

Javier Piedra works out during a goalkeeping drill Thursday at Rogers Heritage High School soccer practice.
Javier Piedra works out during a goalkeeping drill Thursday at Rogers Heritage High School soccer practice.

— The Rogers Heritage War Eagles boys soccer team dropped several close matches a year ago in conference play simply because it struggled to score goals.

Heritage coach Craig Frank, who also coaches the girls team, said the War Eagles will need to look for several players to chip in with the scoring after losing All-State forward Eric Banuelos to graduation.

“Replacing a player like Eric Banuelos won’t be an easy task,” Frank said. “We’ll ask Miguel Gudino and Luis Alpizar to step up and help fill that role. Hugo Portal is another. He’s 6-feet tall now and got a great shot.”

Junior Brian Banuelos, who turned into more of a distributor last season than a goal-scorer, should move back into scoring mode this season. He earned NWA Media Newcomer of the year and 7A-West Conference rookie of the year as a freshman.

Schedule

Rogers Heritage War Eagles

Date Opponent Time

Feb. 21 at Harrison (benefit) 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 26 Tulsa Metro Christian 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 28 at Wagoner, Okla. 6 p.m.

March 6 at Fort Smith Northside 7:30 p.m.

March 8-9 Texarkana Invitational TBD

March 12 at Dardanelle 7:30 p.m.

March 14 at Mountain Home 5:30 p.m.

March 27 Fayetteville* 6:30 p.m.

March 29-30 at Stillwater, Okla., Tournament TBD

April 5 Springdale Har-Ber* 7:30 p.m.

April 9 at Springdale High* 7 p.m.

April 12 Bentonville* 6:30 p.m.

April 16 Verdigris, Okla. 5:30 p.m.

April 18 at Van Buren* 7:30 p.m.

April 25 at Siloam Springs* 7:30 p.m.

May 2 at Rogers High 6:30 p.m.

May 4 at Green Forest 5:30 p.m.

May 9-11 Class 7A State Tournament TBD

However, opponents already know what Brian Banuelos can do, Frank said.

“He’s no secret to teams in the conference,” he said. “People will double-team him on the forward line. That’s why those others will need to step up.”

The War Eagles return six players who saw significant varsity playing for a team, which finished 14-7-2 and lost in penalties kicks in the Class 7A state quarterfinals.

A fitting end to the season a year ago for a team, which struggled to score and lost four times in place kicks.

“We haven’t won a game in PKs in three years,” Frank said. “It’s a mystery.

“The thing we have to do is find ways to score more goals. We’ve got to find that one or two guys who will be reliable in putting the ball in the back of the net.”

Portal, a junior who saw playing time a year ago, said he’s ready to take on a bigger role this season. He also thinks Alpizar is ready to take a big step forward, too.

“I’ve worked hard in the offseason to get better,” Portal said. “Luis is ready to do some good things. He has some nice shots, nice headers. I think he has the ability.”

Another issue the War Eagles have dealt with the last couple of seasons is injuries.

“Every year it seems like we have at least one major injury that offsets the lineup,” Frank said. “You’re moving people around and adjusting on the fly, and the timing is disrupted. I don’t think people realize how key timing is, especially at the higher levels in soccer.”

It’s something Heritage will have to deal with this season, too, as senior Saul Lopez, a returning starter at fullback, suffered a broken toe and will be sidelined for a few weeks to start the season.

Heritage opens the regular season at home Feb. 26 against Tulsa (Okla.) Metro Christian.

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