FAYETTEVILLE -- Fort Smith Northside picked a good day to play its best soccer.
Northside scored three goals in each half and defeated Rogers High 6-2 on Friday in the Class 7A state championship game at Razorback Field. Luis Paredes and Jason Mendoza each scored two goals for Northside, which led 3-0 after a goal by Mendoza with 10 minutes, 38 seconds left in the first half.
Northside (16-5-1) continued its offensive surge in the second half against the defending state champion Mounties (14-11-1). Luis Rodriguez got Rogers on the board late in the first half before Northside countered with consecutive goals by Luis Parades and Mendoza to give Northside a 5-1 lead midway through the second half.
"This was our best soccer, by far," Northside coach Mauricio Maciel said. "The surface made an impact on our game. Our boys were able to knock the ball around with nice passes on this grass. We got good looks and our goals came on nice, penetrating balls into space."
Maynor Sandoval added a second-half goal for Rogers.
"It's always a bit challenging knowing they had that experience from last year," Maciel said. "But our guys rose to the occasion and put that behind them."
The Mounties were able to reach the championship game despite back-to-back losses to end the regular season. Rogers beat Springdale High 2-1 last week to advance to Friday's final.
"Just like (Rogers), we started peaking and playing better the second half of the season," Maciel said. "I knew we had a chance to win it."
Jose Paredes had a goal and an assist to earn the Most Valuable Player award for the game.
Luis Paredes, Jose Paredes and Mendoza each found the net in the first half for Northside.
Luis Paredes opened the scoring with an assist from Christian Chavez with just minutes into the match. Jose Paredes followed with a goal in the 19th minute on an assist from Diego Lopez.
Northside went ahead 3-0 when Mendoza sent a high kick into the far corner of the Rogers net.
Sports on 05/19/2018