LADY MOUNTIES CLOSING IN ON TITLE

Rogers extended its winning streak to 11 games to remain undefeated in conference play this season, but Lady Mounties coach Aaron Crouch is frustrated with how his team is finishing games. Both games last week for Rogers ended in penalty kicks, which are the fourth and fifth time that has happened this season. The Lady Mounties are 5-0 in those games, but Crouch would rather his team win it in regulation. He's not the only one. His goalkeeper Mac Brace, who has saved at least one penalty kick in each shootout, had her patience wearing a bit thin after the team's last game against Bentonville West, Crouch said. Neither team scored in regulation as Rogers had to deal with West playing a compact defense against them, but the Lady Mounties ended up winning 5-4 in the shootout when Haley Arrick scored the winning kick. Brace has been one of the top performers for the Mounties this season in goal, giving up the second lowest goals allowed in the 6A-West with six. "I've said this every single penalty kick shootout before even the first one is that, 'Hey girls, Mac is a phenomenal keeper and you know she's going to block one at least, so the fate is in your hands," Crouch said. Rogers has gotten plenty of experience performing under pressure this season, missing only three penalty kicks, but Crouch admitted that his team's propensity for shootouts is definitely on his mind as they approach tournament time. "It's definitely something I'm trying to solve, but in reality, the game is theirs, and if they don't do it on the day, then I can't go on the field and do it for them," Crouch said. "On one side, yeah it worries me a little bit, but on the other hand, I know we've worked on them. We're as prepared as we can possibly be for those situations." The Lady Mounties will travel to Springdale to play at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday with the boys' game coming after theirs. They will then be home against Bentonville, which Rogers beat in a shootout the first time around, at 7:30 p.m. Friday. The boys will play before them.

LADY MOUNTIES CLOSING IN ON TITLE

ALEX NICOLL

Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette | 4/23/2019

PHOTO CREDIT: Rogers High School Athletics