LRC easily handles Russellville

FAYETTEVILLE -- Little Rock Christian added another state soccer championship to its case Friday with a 5-1 victory over Russellville in the Class 5A girls title match at Razorback Field.

The championship was the second consecutive for the Lady Warriors (21-1-1) and the fourth in their 10th state final appearance since 2005. The Lady Cyclones (16-7-1), who defeated LR Christian in the 2012 final, were making their fifth title game appearance since 2011.

"This is probably the most talented team that I have had," said LR Christian Coach Beth Highfill said. "Through and through, all the way through my starting 11. These are very driven girls who are willing to work hard every single day. They have been a very, very special group."

Senior striker Claire Huchingson claimed her second consecutive MVP award for the Lady Warriors as she scored two goals and had an assist. Huchingson, who has signed to play for Hendrix College, has been the Lady Warriors' leading scorer since she was a freshman.

"She has been our go-to girl for the past four years," Highfill said.

It was several minutes into the contest before LR Christian had its first shot on goal, and in the eighth minute Huchingson scored her first goal off an assist by Darby Stotts.

Six minutes later, Lillie Gregg found the back of the net off an assist from Madeline Duch to make it 2-0.

Gaby LoRusso finished the first-half scoring with an unassisted goal with 13:32 left before intermission as the Lady Warriors held a 3-0 advantage.

Barely seven minutes into the second half, LoRusso scored again, this time off an assist from Huchingson to make it 4-0.

Pasli Robinson scored Russellville's only goal with 26:09 left to play.

Huchingson closed out the scoring with her second goal, off an assist by Madison Stockwell with 13:17 left to close the scoring

LR Christian finished with 29 shots. Lady Cyclones' goalkeeper Bailey McGill had 14 saves, while Lady Warriors' keeper Sandra Griffith did not have a save thanks to her team's defense.

Sports on 05/18/2019

Upcoming Events