Fast Start Helps Lady War Eagles To Win

ROGERS — The Rogers Heritage Lady War Eagles used a fast start to get coach Craig Frank his 300th career win Thursday evening.

The Lady War Eagles scored less than three minutes into the match, then added two more goals within 30 seconds late in the first half en route to a 5-2 win over cross-town rival Rogers High in 7A/6A-West Conference girls soccer.

Heritage (16-4-2, 4-3 7A/6A-West) took advantage of an early turnover, which Gina Britton turned into a goal with 37 minutes, 38 seconds left in the first half. Senior Ellen Lundy, who finished with a hat trick, then scored back-to-back goals with a little more than 12 minutes left in the opening half to put the Lady War Eagles firmly in control with a 3-0 lead.

Frank was very pleased with his team’s first half, but it was no surprise going against the cross-town rival.

“Some of these kids have had this date circled on the calendar for a long time,” Frank said. “They wanted this one. In a game like this, how do you not come out fired up?”

“We capitalized on a couple of turnovers. Hope Burrell and Gina Britton had a couple great sends down the field, precision passes.”

Frank also credited his team with a strong finish to the regular-season, after losing three conference matches in penalty kicks. The Lady War Eagles have a chance to move up in the state tournament seedings, pending the results of other matches on Friday.

“Three PK losses, what a nightmare to try and build morale back up,” Frank said. “But the girls decided ‘Hey, we’re a decent team. We’re gonna pull this together.’ And they did.”

Rogers coach Taylor Hayes credited Heritage with a strong start.

“They were ready and came out hard,” Hayes said. “It just took us a few goals to wake up and realize we’re playing a ballgame.

“The second half was great. It was a completely different game. It was very evenly played.”

The Lady Mounties (12-6-2, 4-3) got second-half goals from Allie James and McKinzie James. They will now prepare for next week’s state tournament.

“We’re going and we’re pumped,” Hayes said. “We’ve got some things to work on.”

ROGERS HERITAGE 5, ROGERS HIGH 2

Heritage^4^1^ —^5

Rogers^0^2^ —^2

First Half

Hert — Britton, 37:38.

Hert — Lundy, 12:56.

Hert — Lundy, 12:21.

Hert — Compton, 8:33.

Second Half

Rog — A. James, 18:03.

Hert — Lundy, 17:23.

Rog — M. James, 8:55.

Boys

Rogers High 3, Rogers Heritage 2 (PKs)

The Mounties out-shot their cross-town rivals 3-2 in penalty kicks to earn the win and a Class 7A state tournament berth Thursday evening.

Danny Garcia blasted the game-winner past the Heritage keeper and ran toward his teammates to celebrate as the Mounties won despite knocking one PK off the post and another off the crossbar.

Jaime Torres gave Rogers (12-8, 3-4 7A/6A-West) a 2-1 lead with a shot off the post six minutes into the second half, but Miguel Gudino scored with 15 minutes left to tie it. The War Eagles dropped to 17-3 overall and 4-3 in the league.

Rogers High 2, Rogers Heritage 2

(Rogers High wins 3-2 in PKs)

Heritage^1^1^—^2

Rogers^1^1^—^2

First Half

Hert — Alpizar, 37:55.

Rog — Rogers, 35:29.

Second Half

Rog — Torres, 34:21.

Hert — Gudino, 15:05.

Penalty Kicks — Rogers High 3 (Rios, Garcia, Torres), Rogers Heritage 2 (Alpizar, Santillan).

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