CABOT — Taylor Ward had no doubt she had to go to her right with her penalty kick opportunity.
It was the right choice as the Fayetteville senior drilled the ball into the goal, and the Lady Bulldogs went on to defeat defending state runner-up Conway, 2-0, during Thursday’s first-round action at the Class 7A girls state soccer tournament.
Ward’s kick came after Cassidy Sykes was knocked down by a Conway defender in the left side of the box and broke a scoreless tie with 26 minutes, 3 seconds remaining. Fayetteville’s defense took care of the rest, as goalie Deanna Rudasill had to dive in traffic to avoid a close call with the save.
“We’ve been practicing PKs all the time,” Ward said. “For some reason, our team PKs a lot, so it was kind of natural to just hit the ball in.
“I always go the same way. I’m confident in that way, and know I can hit it. In the past, I’ll see a goalie lean and try to go to my left, but it doesn’t end up working my way.”
The goal gave the Lady Purple’Dogs (12-5) a sense of relief after they spent so much time near the Conway goal but had nothing to show for it. Kara Tubb then gave Fayetteville an insurance goal with 21:59 left, blasting the ball through the right side of the net after Sykes’ hard work near the goal preoccupied the goalie and provided Tubb with a clean shot.
“We talked about that at halftime,” said Fayetteville coach Joe Thoma, whose team advances to a 2 p.m. quarterfinal match against 7A-Central top seed Mount St. Mary. “We just said to keep dribbling in because they were going to hack you. Sure enough, they get the foul and we’re in.
“It was good to get a PK, get another goal and take care of business. It’s kind of survive and advance now.”
Conway 0 0 — 0 Fayetteville 0 2 — 2 SECOND HALF FAY — Ward (PK), 26:03 FAY — Tubb, 21:59