BENTONVILLE -- Blake McDoulett scored three second-half goals to turn a one-goal advantage into a 7-1 Bentonville West mercy-rule victory over Vilonia in the second round of the NWA Showcase at the Tiger Athletic Complex on Saturday.
Leading 2-1, McDoulet scored had a hat trick with three goals in a span of 14 minutes to start the second half.
"He was in the right spots," West coach John Marshall said. "Especially with that last goal he scored, he was just in the right spot. He does a great job of seeing where he needs to be in the midfield, and then made some great runs. He's got a great shot"
Making great runs and being where they needed to be was a common theme for the Wolverines (2-2) Saturday. Entering the game, Marshall said he wanted his team to focus on passing to set up easy shots on goal. The Wolverines did that. Utilizing cross-field passes and long through balls, West pressured Vilonia's defense with 18 shots on goal.
"We're starting to figure out that we can pass the ball around," Marshall said. "As a team, it was good to build some confidence just passing the ball and finding open players.
"This game, we wanted to work on playing as team, instead of as 11 individuals on the field. We wanted to try to get the easy shots on goal."
In doing so, things became difficult for Vilonia (0-2). The Eagles struggled to clear West's long through balls and shots on goal, as the Wolverines dominated possession in their opponent's territory.
"It was all (a lack of) communication," Vilonia coach Kevin Tello said. "If one of us was to clear it out, the other thought it was his duty to do so. So it all came down to a communication issue on our back line's part."
Brayden Douthit (5th minute), Tom Schulz (19), Austen Duncan (47), Tyler Guentz (66) all scored goals for Bentonville West.
Gage Helton scored Vilonia's lone goal in the 33rd minute off a penalty kick that cut the West lead to 2-1 at the break.
Both teams return to action Tuesday. Vilonia will host Morrilton, while Bentonville West will travel to Harrison.
Preps Basketball on 03/04/2018