GENTRY - Ana Palacios enjoyed a huge junior season last year, scoring 29 goals and helping the Gentry Lady Pioneers return to the state soccer tournament.

Gentry coach Fabrizio Campagnola decided to move Hannah Bond from midfield to forward this season to team with Palacios up top, and that has proven to be a winning combination for the Lady Pioneers, who rolled through the 4A-1 Conference undefeated to claim the league title.

Campagnola and even both girls admitted there were some early season struggles getting used to playing together at forward. But they have learned to play off one another and take advantage of having two strong forwards.

“They are two strong personalities and both have winning mentality,” Campagnola said. “And they both like to score. There was some friction at first, but they worked and they work perfect now.”

“I was intimidated a little bit because she’s been the goal scorer,” Bond said. “But I remember I had one game that I scored seven goals, but she had almost all the assists. If I’m scoring it’s because of her passes.

“It’s really fun playing with someone you can count on. If one of us is having an off day, then we can rely on the other.”

Palacios has surpassed her total from last season, notching 30 goals heading into the Class 4A state tournament. But she’s had some help this season in the scoring department because Bond rang up 26 goals.

But Palacios, an all-state and all-conference pick a year ago, also leads the team with 20 assists. Bond also has 15 assists in season play.

Teammate Bryana Carter, who moved to the midfield when Bond, who also earned all-conference honors as a junior, swapped positions, is also a key cog in the offense, Campagnola said. Carter is second on the team with 17 assists to go with nine goals.

“Carter has good vision; and Bond, she likes to run,” Campagnola said. “We have two really fast players up top. I kind of wished I had made the change last year.”

Palacios said she and Bond have developed great chemistry this season.

“I liked her playing in the midfield next to me, but I think the move has helped make us a better team,” Palacios said.

Bond said the senior laden Lady Pioneers came into the season with some confidence, but that’s blossomed even more as the season has progressed.

“I think we’ve been pretty level-headed,” Bond said. “But the seniors have played together for three years.”

After back-to-back first- round losses in the state tournament last year, the Lady Pioneers were looking to make a strong postseason run this year, Campagnola said.

“With seven seniors, this is the year,” Campagnola said. "Coming in as a one seed, we should have a good chance.”

Editor’s Note: After defeating Arkadelphia in a double overtime on Friday, Gentry’s girls returned to state play to lose 4-1 against Mena on Saturday in the semi-finals.

The loss ends the Lady Pioneers’ season on the soccer field, but overall, the season was a very successful one for the girls.

Sports, Pages 10 on 05/15/2013