DECATUR -- The battle of the Bulldogs continued March 12 with 7A Fayetteville junior varsity soccer team traveling to Decatur in a non-conference match at Bulldog Stadium in Decatur.
This game marked the first time the entire team was present for a game this season.
"A few members of the team are also involved with baseball and track, so sometime the schedules conflict," said Barry James, Decatur soccer coach. "However, having the whole team together gives me a chance to see how the team (players) interact with one another on the field. This way I can see their strengths and weaknesses and fix any of them accordingly."
Once again, Decatur struggled on offense in the first half as they did against Springdale the night before. However, they were taking a few more shots against Fayetteville than they did at Springdale but still failed to get any into the goal.
Fayetteville also had trouble getting the ball across the goal and into the net, thanks to several saves by goalie Mario Urquidi, who played that position the entire game. James moved goalie Wyatt Bingham into the backfield for extra coverage.
But the Fayetteville Bulldogs did manage to get one ball into the net with about 10 minutes to play in the first half. Decatur's defense rallied back and held Fayetteville to a single point at the half, 1 to 0.
"You've got to kick up the intensity level and shoot more," James said at half time.
Decatur did turn up the intensity level as the defense worked to keep the ball in Fayetteville territory. Urquidi made several more saves, preventing Fayetteville from connecting with the net and adding points to the scoreboard.
On the other end of the field, Decatur attempted more shots than in the first but, like Fayetteville, failed to get the ball into the goal. The game ended with a victory for the Fayetteville Bulldogs, 1 to 0.
"Overall, I am pleased with the way they played, especially on defense," James said. "Any time we lose by one goal against a 6 or 7A school, I think we did a good job. The guys just have to keep getting better and better."
Thus far this season, Decatur has played three superior teams and each time have lost by a single point.
The Bulldogs will play against a league team when they travel to Subiaco Academy March 30 in their first conference game of the season.
NOTE: Since there are only 100 schools in Arkansas with soccer teams, schools like 1A Lead Hill, 2A Decatur, and 3A Bergman are bumped up to the 4A conference and will play three other regions for the state title.
4A Region 1 soccer conference teams and their football and basketball conference designations:
1A: Lead Hill;
2A: Decatur, Eureka Springs;
3A: Bergman Green Forrest, Danville;
4A: Huntsville, Prairie Grove, Shiloh Christian, Gentry, Subiaco, Dardanelle, Berryville.
Sports on 03/18/2015