BENTONVILLE -- Leo Araujo's first-half goal Tuesday night gave Springdale High boys soccer coach D.J. Beeler flashbacks of his team's first game against Bentonville.
It was the only thing that reminded Beeler of that April 1 meeting, when Araujo recorded a first-half hat trick en route to a 5-0 victory. The Red'Dogs had to clear the ball out of the box moments before the final horn sounded, allowing them to enjoy a 2-1 victory in 7A-West Conference action at the Tiger Athletic Complex.
The win gives Springdale (15-4, 9-2) sole possession of first place in the league standings and a series sweep over the Tigers (12-3-1, 8-3), who had their six-game win streak snapped.
"It was a pretty evenly played game," Beeler said. "We did a good job of playing a complete game and finishing our chances when we needed to, so I'm pleased -- not with just the win but with the beginning-to-end product we put out there."
Bentonville provided extra pressure at the end after Bruno Mariscotti took a rebound off the left post and scored with 2 minutes, 48 seconds remaining. The Tigers continued to press matters and had Chase Hunter make two long inbounds throws into the box in the closing moments.
Springdale, however, managed to keep the ball away from the goal, including a long kick that sent the ball toward the midfield stripe when the game ended.
"Bentonville is used to winning games," Beeler said. "Teams that are used to winning don't go away. They keep playing until the end.
"We knew it would be 80 minutes, and it took all 80 minutes. We were clearing the ball out with 5 seconds left, trying to hold them off."
Araujo accounted for the only first-half scoring when he came from the right side and blasted a shot from about 12 yards out with 23:33 remaining. The score remained that way until just under 17 minutes remaining, when Salvador Gonzalez stood in front of the goal and drilled one into the net from about 15 yards out.
Bentonville had other chances to score, but most of them couldn't find their way into the back of the net.
"I told our kids at halftime and told them again after the game that we had enough chances to win," Tigers coach Mike Devaney said. "The difference of the game was a credit to them. They stuck their chances away, and we didn't.
"That's a fine margin when you play against good teams, and they're an awfully good team. It's about finishing your chances, and we didn't."
Rogers High 5, Fort Smith Northside 1
Jarrod Eisma scored two goals, while Jessie Ramirez added a goal and two assists to help the Mounties pull away for the big win Tuesday at Whitey Smith Stadium.
Rogers (11-5, 6-5 7A-West) led 1-0 at halftime and rolled in the second half to claim their third consecutive win. Alex Balderas also added a goal and an assist.
Rogers Heritage 7, Fort Smith Southside 2
Pedro Garcia scored four goals and added an assist to help the War Eagles snap a two-game skid on the road Tuesday evening.
Erol Banuelos also chipped in two goals and an assist for Heritage, which improved to 9-8 overall and 7-4 in 7A-West Conference play. The War Eagles led 4-2 at halftime.
Springdale Har-Ber 1, Fayetteville 1 (Har-Ber 6-5 PK s)
Raul Umana scored the Wildcats' only goal in regulation and Fayetteville played much of the match one man down after being given a red card violation. The Bulldogs then forced a sudden death when Kieren Lobb scored with just six minutes, 30 seconds left to play before Springdale Har-Ber (7-10, 5-6) outlasted Fayetteville (7-8-1, 4-7) in the penalty kick period.
Girls
Bentonville 9, Springdale High 0
Alyssa Carlson delivered two goals in the opening eight minutes, and Bentonville went on to rout Springdale to remain unbeaten in 7A-West play.
Melanie Matkins and Emma Welch had two goals apiece for the Lady Tigers (14-4, 11-0), who built a 5-0 halftime lead. Welch scored her first goal less than 6 minutes into the second half and gave Bentonville a 6-0 cushion, causing the sportsmanship rule go into effect and cut the time remaining in half.
Fort Smith Southside 2, Rogers Heritage 2 (Southside 3-1 PKs)
The Lady Rebels rallied from a 2-1 halftime deficit to claim the 7A-West Conference win on Tuesday.
Heritage (10-6, 6-5 7A-West) got a two first-half goals, one from Bailee Russell and another from Emily Seiler for a 2-0 lead.
But Southside rallied and outshot Heritage 3-1 in penalty kicks.
Fayetteville 3, Springdale Har-Ber 0
Cassidy Sykes got Fayetteville (12-3-1, 10-1) on the board at the 21:00 mark of the first half and Hannah Davis added a second goal with just under nine minutes left before halftime.
The Lady Bulldogs then added one more score in the final minute from Myra Tubb.
Fayetteville visits Rogers Heritage on Thursday.
Sports on 04/27/2016