FAYETTEVILLE — When Lucas Araujo arrived at Fayetteville on an exchange student program from Brazil, the boys soccer team knew right away they were getting a talented piece to the puzzle.
Araujo, now a senior, came into the program as a goalkeeper, and soon after his arrival showed off an ability to be a major contributor at the varsity level. But while his addition was welcomed, Fayetteville coaches were suddenly faced with a unique situation.
Junior Colton Farley was already established as Fayetteville’s keeper. So instead of picking one over the other, Bulldogs coaches came up with a plan, one that has worked well for both players and the team on its path to the Class 7A Tournament, which starts today in Cabot.
Soon after the season began, coach Steve Oliver and assistant coach Rick Ternes decided the best solution for playing time for their keepers was to actually play them both. So throughout the 7A-West Conference season, Araujo and Farley alternated between starts and games, with both sharing in the team’s success.
“I think it’s been good,” Ternes said. “We just felt like it was the right thing to do. We couldn’t play one over the other and it’s worked out well.”
Araujo, who comes from a family of soccer players back home in Brazil, was instrumental in a pair of penalty kick wins in conference play with key saves on goal in the extra time. Not to be outdone, Farley also earned key penalty kick victories as Fayetteville won a league-best four matches by way of PK’s.
In some situations, splitting playing time and sitting as a reserve for half of the soccer matches might be detrimental. But Farley has welcomed Araujo and views the shared role as a plus for the Purple’Dogs.
“It hasn’t been hard at all,” Farley said. “We help each other out, give each other pointers and it’s worked out fine.
“It’s helped me get better and helped me be more competitive. When I first heard he was from Brazil I knew he was going to be good so it’s helped make me work hard.”
Araujo looks at Farley as a close friend, along with being a close teammate. Together, he believes they give Fayetteville a chance to beat any team in the Class 7A Tournament.
“It’s been fun,” Araujo said. “We’re just going out there and trying to win and for sure, we think we can win.”
Now that Farley and Araujo have adjusted to the season of back-and-forth playing time in the net, Fayetteville (10-10) might actually have a leg up on other teams in the postseason. While two keepers isn’t always a must, the Bulldogs can boast having more depth at the position now than other foes thanks to their unique plan used with Araujo and Farley.
“There’s been some teams with two pretty good keepers before,” Fayetteville coach Steve Oliver said. “That could be an advantage.”
Colton Farley and Lucas Araujo
SCHOOL Fayetteville POSITION Goalkeepers NOTABLE Araujo is an exchange student from Brazil in his first season with the Bulldogs. … Farley is a three-year letterman for Fayetteville. … Both keepers have split starting time throughout the season, switching back and forth between games. … Farley and Araujo have each earned PK wins in the conference play.
Vernon Tarver can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter@NWAVernonTwitter@NWAVernon.