PRAIRIE GROVE -- Tiger boys soccer coach Darren Chandler has been named to the All-Star soccer coaching staff for the 2017 Arkansas High School Coaches Association match in June.
All-Star coaches for the West Boys Soccer include: head coach Brent Crenshaw, of Siloam Springs; Chandler; Stephen Peck, of Rogers; and Cory Sturdivant, of Hot Springs.
Prairie Grove's Andres Barrett was named to the All-Tournament team for the state 4A boys soccer tournament.
The Tiger boys went on the road, facing conference foe, Gentry, crashing the party with a 4-0 victory as the Pioneers celebrated senior night on May 5. This was a key victory, enabling the Tigers to qualify for state.
Tigers Win 4-0
Sophomore Asende Lubende scored 3 goals for the Tigers and sophomore Josh Brant had 1. Junior James Mayers added an assist. The Tigers scored a goal 8 minutes into the game, while frustrating the Pioneers. A second goal was recorded with about 15 minutes still left in the half. Junior Kevin Ochoa got a shot on goal for Gentry from 15 yards out, but the kick was too high and hit the crossbar. The Tigers scored another goal before the half ended to go up, 3-0, on the Pioneers.
The Pioneers were able to get shots in the second half, but none found the mark. The Tigers were able to score one more goal in the second half and won 4-0.
March 3-3 tie
The two teams played to a 3-3 tie on March 14 with the Tigers leading the Pioneers, 2-1, at halftime, but giving up an extra goal in the second half and settling for a tie. In that game, the Tigers surrendered goals to Gentry senior Clay Wills, Ochoa, and sophomore Jason Gomez. Prairie Grove countered with goals by sophomores Brant (2) and Lubende (1).
The Tigers battled to stay in the game. The Pioneers were able to get shots on goal, and Prairie Grove was fortunate that many Gentry shots weren't connecting. Prairie Grove scored on fast break to take a 1-0 lead. With around a minute to go in the first half, Gentry midfielder Gomez assisted Wills on the wing for a goal. Prairie Grove answered with the half winding down, scoring with 30 seconds left to lead the Pioneers, 2-1, at halftime.
The second half started in similar fashion to the first. The Pioneers were getting and taking shots, but Tiger goalkeeper Ben Beason was stopping the assault on Prairie Grove's net. The Pioneers took more shots on the goal, but the game ended in a tie.
Sports on 06/07/2017