Sophomore Amber Ellis scored two goals and goalkeeper Chastery Fuamatu notched her second consecutive shutout to lead Gentry to a 3-0 win over Episcopal Collegiate in the Class 4A state soccer semifinals Saturday afternoon at Maumelle.
Ellis gave the Lady Pioneers (11-6-1), the No. 2 seed from the 4A-1 Conference, the lead early in the first half. She scored again in the second half and junior Brieann Ward added another.
Gentry, which is making its first appearance in the state finals, will take on Central Arkansas Christian at 10 a.m. on Friday in Fayetteville. CAC edged Shiloh Christian 1-0 in the other semifinal on Saturday.
The Lady Pioneers defeated their second consecutive No. 1 seed in two days to reach the finals.
Lady Pioneers coach Fabrizio Campagnola said his team has been playing very well late in the season and that’s continued in the state tournament.
“We’re playing our best the last couple weeks, the last two games in conference and we’ve kept that up,” Campagnola said.
Gentry outscored three state tournament opponents by a combined score of 21-1. Campagnola said his team has scored plenty. Ellis, who set a state record with 68 goals a year ago, has scored 11 goals in the state tournament to give her 40 on the season.
But Gentry’s defense can’t be overlooked either, Campagnola said.
“We won 7-0 in the second game, but our goalie had a couple of very nice diving saves,” Campagnola said. “She’s played very well.”
The lone goal allowed came only a couple minutes into the state tournament opener as a Gentry defender and Fuamatu slipped on a rain-soaked field.
— Paul Boyd • @NWAPaulB