ROGERS -- The Rogers Heritage Lady War Eagles soccer team has been decimated by injuries early this season, but junior Erika Reyes has made the most of her opportunities.
Reyes saw a little bit of varsity time a year ago, broke into the starting lineup this season and has shown her versatility since she's been asked to shift positions because of injuries to different players.
Profile
Erika Reyes
School: Rogers Heritage
Class: Junior
Height:5-foot-5
Notable: Played a little bit of varsity a year ago and junior varsity as a freshman, but has seen considerable varsity action this season including a few starts. … Her older brother, Jairo, and sister, Jessica, also both played soccer for current girls coach Craig Frank at Heritage.
"We've moved her around the field," Lady War Eagles coach Craig Frank said. "We feel like we can put her on offense if needed, but she's more of an outside midfielder. But she's also accepted the duty to play some defense with the injuries we've had.
"She's been getting quality time this year and started against Verdigris the other night and against Jenks, Okla. earlier this year."
Frank said her skills have improved, but it's the intangibles that have served Reyes well on the field.
"Like any of our younger players, she's adapting to the speed of the varsity game," Frank said. "Once you're playing up against kids a couple years older, those decisions have to be made fast. And sometimes you have to learn from you mistakes.
"But her strength is definitely her internal toughness. She plays with a physical edge to her. To survive in the 7A-West, you've got to have that mental and physical toughness. You've got to be willing to take it out on the field and she does that."
Reyes has shown that toughness on and off the field as her parents, Arturo and Silvia, continue to deal with legal troubles stemming from a guilty plea to a felony charge of harboring or shielding aliens for commercial gain in 2008. Her parents currently operate the three Acambaro restaurants in Rogers, Springdale and Bentonville.
Reyes acknowledged it's been difficult to focus on school at times with her parents dealing with their problems. She and her older brother, Jairo, and sister, Jessica, helped make sure her younger siblings got to school on time. But soccer has been a fun time to spend with her friends.
She tried cheerleading and track in eighth-grade, but decided to concentrate on soccer in high school. Reyes has also cut some other extra-curricular activities this year to concentrate on her studies.
"It's frustrating because had to take the kids to school and pick them up and we didn't get out at the same time," Reyes said. "My brother and sister are both in college and we had work with their schedules. That's tough.
Frank said the Reyes family has been very supportive of their children and the Heritage soccer program. Erika's older brother and sister both played for Frank when they were at Heritage. That's a big reason why he wrote a letter in support of the family's immigration status last year.
"The program offered its support," Frank said. "They have been very supportive parents to their kids and this program. As a young person, I'm not sure how I would handle that situation. There's no doubt about her toughness. I couldn't put myself in that situation. You have to keep your grades up and continue on with life."
Reyes said her friends have been a big reason why her soccer skills have improved this season.
"I think my teammates and friends have pushed me to get better," Reyes said. "Last year I couldn't really shoot very well, but this year I can shoot even with my left foot."
The Lady War Eagles, who improved to 1-1 in 7A/6A-West Conference play with a 2-1 win over Springdale Har-Ber this week, will try to gain some momentum as league play cranks up in earnest this week.
Sports on 04/12/2014