Soccer: Har-Ber Headed To State Finals

 STAFF PHOTO JASON IVESTER Cole Brothers, right, of Springdale Har-Ber attempts to pass over and around Fort Smith Northside’s Jose Luis Ramirez on Saturday during their Class 7A semifinal match at Harmon Field in Fayetteville.

STAFF PHOTO JASON IVESTER Cole Brothers, right, of Springdale Har-Ber attempts to pass over and around Fort Smith Northside’s Jose Luis Ramirez on Saturday during their Class 7A semifinal match at Harmon Field in Fayetteville.

Sunday, May 18, 2014

FAYETTEVILLE -- Springdale Har-Ber saved its best soccer for just the right time.

The Wildcats, up and down at times during the regular season, held off a furious first-half attack by Fort Smith Northside, then made limited scoring chances count following intermission in a 2-0 win during the 7A state boys tournament semifinals at Harmon Stadium.

How They Scored

Prep Soccer

Springdale Har-Ber 2, Fort Smith Northside 0

Har-Ber^0^2^—^2

FS Northside^0^0^—^0

Second Half

Har — Umana, 29:23

Har — Brothers, 9:20.

Har-Ber, the No. 6 seed from the 7A-West, won for the third time in as many days in the tournament and advances to the championship game where it faces conference rival Bentonville at noon next Saturday at Razorback Field in Fayetteville for the 7A state title.

"We had seen (Fort Smith Northside) play earlier and I knew how good they were up front," Nelson Medina said. "I knew how good they were in the attacking third. They were so good up front and they're clinical with their skill level and speed. So we didn't want to get behind and the goal was to play with them.

"I felt like our midfield was stronger than their midfield. So if we could get in the midfield and maybe counter-attack and get a one-goal lead, we could park the bus so to speak. And so the more guys we had behind the ball the tougher it was going to be for them to have chances."

The Grizzlies (18-3) had plenty of chances in the first 40 minutes. But Har-Ber goalkeeper Ben O'Brien and his back defense made all the necessary plays. Fort Smith Northside forward Samuel Iraburo had several shots on goal in the first half, but O'Brien made key stops to keep the match scoreless at the intermission.

Har-Ber (13-8-1) then took advantage of a corner kick opportunity in the 51st minute, when Cole Brothers assisted Raul Umana for a 1-0 Wildcats lead.

With one goal, the match took a complete turn in Har-Ber's favor.

"I'm proud of the way we bounced back after that first mistake, because we kept the possession and we kept them on their heels," Fort Smith Northside coach Mauricio Maciel said. "Unfortunately for us the goal did not come. It was very smart on their part to drop everyone back and defend that lead."

Har-Ber played as many as 10 back on defense in the final 30 minutes after taking the 1-0 lead. That strategy would work in the Wildcats' favor for a second goal, as Brothers was left alone against a pressing Northside to charge for a shot from 25 yards away.

Brothers' score with 9 minutes, 20 seconds left in the second half sealed Northside's fate, and wrapped up a tremendous finish to a complete effort for Har-Ber.

"This year I think teams were ready for us and it's been kind of up and down," Medina said. "But as long as we can correct our back line, which we've done so far in the tournament, then I feel like we need only one or two to win a game."

Sports on 05/18/2014