North Little Rock Shocks Har-Ber In OT

DEFENSIVE STRATEGY BACKFIRES ON LADY WILDCATS

CABOT — One moment of indecision proved costly for Springdale Har-Ber’s girls soccer team.

The Lady Wildcats’ season came to an abrupt end Thursday when Mac Harrington converted a corner kick into a goal with 7 minutes, 5 seconds left in overtime Thursday as North Little Rock claimed a 1-0 fi rstround victory in the Class 7A Girls State Soccer Tournament.

“It’s a heartbreaker — not having a chance to come back and put one in ourselves,” Har-Ber coach John Marshall said.

The indecision came on defense as Har-Ber (12-9) chose to kick the ball out of bounds near the North Little Rock goal rather than keep the ball in play. Jordan Toler delivered the corner kick from the far sideline, and the ball went over the head of the intended player.

Harrington, however, was in the right place at the right time. Her header was just enough to put the ball into the net, and the goal sent North Little Rock (6-6-1) into today’s noon quarterfi - nal match against Fort Smith Southside.

“I think it was kind of a letdown to give them a corner kick,” Marshall said. “I think we made a big mistake on that. We had been doing well basically the whole game.

“I don’t think they had many chances. There at that last one, the girl just did a great job. She ran in and headed the ball into the goal. They just beat us to that ball.”

Scoring opportunities were limited for both teams throughout the regulation period. Har-Ber goalie Maddie Slaton had to make only one diving stop of a North Little Rock shot on goal in the second half, but the Lady Wildcats never could get a clean shot on goal, either.

North Little Rock 0 0 1 — 1 Springdale Har-Ber 0 0 0 — 0 OVERTIME

NORTH — Harrington, 7:05

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