Changes are eminent with any type of all-star game, and today's All-Star girls soccer game in Conway is no different.
The biggest change to be made dealt with the game's location. The soccer games were originally scheduled to be played at the Bill Stephens Track/Soccer Complex, but All-Star officials announced earlier this week they have been moved to Estes Stadium.
Arkansas High School Coaches Association All-Star girls soccer game
When: 5 p.m. today
Where: Estes Stadium, University of Central Arkansas, Conway
Rosters (players subject to change)
WEST
Head Coach: Kevin Shinn, Huntsville
Assistant Coaches: Jason Gentry, Benton; Joe Thoma, Fayetteville; Russell Wortham, Greenbrier
Manager: RainBo Thompson, Huntsville
No.^Name^School Coach
4^Morgan Plumley^Benton
5^Morgan Freehling^ Bentonville
6^McKenna Law^Mena
7^Heather Carter^Sheridan
8^Alexandra Weindel^Fort Smith Southside
9^McKenzie Dixon^ Bentonville
10^Dahlia Mendoza^Gentry
11^Victoria Nedlett^Little Rock Christian
12^Falon Hanson^ Fayetteville
13^Tosha Woodruff^Harrison
15^Lakin Resenker^Texarkana
16^Lodia Carranza^De Queen
26^Megan Gragg^ Huntsville
27^Ellie Breden^Fayetteville
28^Rachel Lawrence^ Gentry
29^Jordan Richardson^El Dorado
30^Katherine Rawling^ Central Arkansas Christian
31^Emma Clary^ Shiloh Christian
32^Orie Davis^ El Dorado
33^Madelin Slaton^Springdale Har-Ber
34^Annalee Rhodes^Little Rock Christian
EAST
Head Coach: Joseph Maxwell, Heber Springs
Assistant Coaches: Kevin DeStefano, Conway; Chuck Jones, Siloam Springs, Cassidy Nealy, Nettleton
Manager: Brynne Hardin, Heber Springs
No.^Name^School Coach
4^MaKenzie Free^Beebe
5^Zoe Farrell^ e-Stem
6^Rachel Meyers^ Greenwood
8^Emily Allen^Jonesboro
9^Asher Beard^Searcy
10^Braxton Reed^ Cabot
11^Brooks Pender^ Mount St. Mary
12^Alex Snyder^ Greene County Tech
13^Allison Hughes^ Bryant
14^Dycia Carter^North Pulaski
15^Kierra O’Keefe^ Nettleton
16^Allison Kiernan^Star City
19^Leanna Sartain^ Conway Christian
20^Kira Bailey^Mountain Home
23^Jameshia Alexander^LR Episcopal
29^Annika Bos^ Siloam Springs
30^Kortni Gifford^ Conway
32^Caroline Dail^ Conway Christian
34^Gracie Bailey^ Pulaski Academy
35^Lexia Bailey^Paragould
The stadium, home for Central Arkansas' football team, will have some slight modifications as well. The soccer field dimensions were added to its two-tone turf surface Tuesday in time for the games.
"We were told there was limited seating over there, and the box over there is so small," said Fayetteville coach Joe Thoma, who serves as one of the West assistant coaches. "We were expecting to play on that grass field. Now we're playing on the purple and gray turf, and it's going to be around 99 degrees at game time.
"It's going to be a little bit different, but the girls are there to have a little fun. Most of them play on turf fields for their high school games, so it shouldn't affect them that much."
Thoma said he expects to have a strong West team, thanks to a good contingent of players from Northwest Arkansas. Those players usually don't participate in All-Star games because of their commitment to their club teams and head out of state to regional competition, but that wasn't the case this year as the region tournament was held in North Little Rock.
That allowed the West to keep such players as two-time state girls soccer player of the year McKenzie Dixon of Bentonville, as well as Morgan Freehling of Bentonville and the Fayetteville duo of Ellie Breden and Falon Hanson. Thoma said that changes in players were held to a minimum with only a few opting not to play.
"All of these girls in our area are good players, and they know each other," Thoma said. "I'm glad those girls aren't out of state, then we have some girls from the smaller schools that are pretty good. I know about six or seven of them, and I'm confident they can play. I think we will be good all over the field."
Thoma said the West team will have a pair of practices together Tuesday, then hold a team meeting this morning before the 5 p.m. game. The East team includes Annika Bos of Siloam Springs on its roster.
"I think these girls are ready to go," Thoma said.
Sports on 06/24/2015