SPRINGDALE HIGH HOLDS OFF ROGERS

As the second-half clock ticked under 34 minutes, a fluke handball from Springdale High sophomore Sylvestre Martinez inside his team's box resulted in an easy goal for Rogers. Shortly thereafter, the Mountaineers had the perfect opportunity to tie things up when they found space behind the Bulldogs' goalie, and the ball appeared to be unimpeded in its short-rolling path toward the net. Martinez made up for his earlier mistake and sprinted after the shot, and he booted it away with about an inch to spare. The sequence saved the match for the Bulldogs in a 2-1 victory at Whitey Smith Stadium on Friday in 6A-West Conference boys soccer. "Me and the keeper worked hard enough to get it out of the goal," Martinez said. "We had to get it out and save the team." After a two-goal first half in which Springdale seemed to live on Rogers' side of the field, the Bulldogs (5-2, 4-0 6A-West) seemed to be in complete control of the contest. Another goal would have likely put the game away, but the 33:45 score from Rogers senior midfielder Trey Keith made things interesting. The home squad built on the goal with several offensive pushes that had the potential to tie things up. "That led them back into the game and shifted the momentum a little bit, but I thought we did a good job at the end of the game with game management, being smart about what we should do to close it out," Springdale coach DJ Beeler said. While intelligence and control certainly aided in staving off Rogers' comeback attempt, two other virtues were needed to keep the Mountaineers (5-2, 2-2) from putting up another goal at the 29 minutes, 51 seconds mark: luck and determination. Rogers senior forward Nelson Rivas darted down the left side of the field past several Springdale defenders, and he connected on a simple ground shot that went past the goalkeeper, who was out of position. As the ball rolled toward the net, it was clear that Rogers would tie the game and have a chance to end the Bulldogs' perfect clip in conference. That's when Martinez appeared from behind to sideswipe the shot away just milliseconds before it went through, and the home crowd responded with collective groans. "It's unfortunate what happened to him because it was accidental, and there was nothing he could do about it," Beeler said. "He just got right back into the game and continued to play and made a big play for us. That's what you want." Seniors Javier Solis and Jose Vega scored Springdale's goals, both of which came in the first half. The former punched it through the net's left corner at the 19:44 mark, while the latter connected on a beautiful volley shot from 35 yards out. Martinez said it was important to make those goals count by eking out a win through tough plays that don't show up in the postgame stats.

SPRINGDALE HIGH HOLDS OFF ROGERS

ANDREW EPPERSON

Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette | 3/30/2019

PHOTO CREDIT: Ben Goff