PRAIRIE GROVE -- The Lady Tiger soccer team (8-1-1) sustained their first loss of the season by a 5-1 margin to defending 5A State champion Harrison Thursday, March 15.
That came on the heels of a 0-0 tie against Gentry on Monday, March 12, after an 8-0 start.
"Harrison is a very good and strong team," said Prairie Grove coach Stephanie Mitchell. "I think we played really well. They are our most challenging opponent so far. It was a very good practice for us."
Prairie Grove got a goal from sophomore Jackie Jenkins with an assist from freshman Hailey Saldana.
"Hailey Saldana sent a pass and Jackie took it," Mitchell said. "She read the player, waited for her to come out and passed it to herself. She shot to the far corner of the net. It was pretty."
In the match with Gentry both teams had corner kicks in the first half, but neither could score a goal off the play. At the 4:46 mark Prairie Grove missed a shot-on-goal. Gentry tried to mount an offense as the half wore down, but couldn't get a shot off before time expired. Neither team scored in the second half although Gentry coach Jordan Parton felt the Lady Pioneers played up to Prairie Grove's level.
"In the second half we came out and matched their level of intensity," Parton said. "We had a few opportunities we couldn't quite capitalize on. We played hard and we played with discipline."
Mitchell said the Lady Tigers were a little bit tired from having competed in a tournament the previous weekend. Yet, she liked the effort.
"They played to their best effort," Mitchell said. "We're a little bit tired, but it's nothing we can't clean up."
Goalie Jaylia Halbert stopped several Gentry shots in the second half and played an instrumental role in preserving the shut out.
"She's very confident inside the goal," Mitchell said. "In the second half none of the shots were very difficult for her to make a stop, just routine catches we make."
Sports on 04/04/2018