Decatur Bulldogs clash with Springdale Bulldogs, lose by one

Photo by Mike Eckels Tony Mendoza (Decatur #10) performs a reverse kick in an effort to pass the ball to one of his teammates during the Springdale Bulldogs – Decatur Bulldogs matchup at Bulldog Stadium in Springdale March 11. Springdale took the game 4 to 3.
Photo by Mike Eckels Tony Mendoza (Decatur #10) performs a reverse kick in an effort to pass the ball to one of his teammates during the Springdale Bulldogs – Decatur Bulldogs matchup at Bulldog Stadium in Springdale March 11. Springdale took the game 4 to 3.

SPRINGDALE -- The Decatur Bulldog soccer team traveled east to take on the 7A Springdale Bulldogs in what would be the first meeting between the two schools. The two teams were originally scheduled to play March 5, but winter storm Thor forced the match to be reschedule to March 11.

When Decatur took the field, they were to take on Springdale's junior varsity soccer team. However, a last minute change had the Bulldogs facing Springdale's varsity.

Both Decatur and Springdale had trouble moving the ball during the first 20 minutes of the game. That changed when Jonathon Vargas hit the corner of the net for a Decatur score. The Bulldogs led the game 1 to 0 until the last five minutes of the opening half when Springdale landed two quick goals to take a 2 to 1 lead at the break.

"You've got to pull it together," said Barry James, Decatur's soccer coach. "You have to be more intense and shoot the ball more."

As with the Rogers Heritage game a week before, the Bulldogs took the field with a more aggressive approach. They moved the ball more effectively and took the shots James was alluding to during his half-time speech.

Unfortunately for Decatur, Springdale landed two shots and boosted the score to 4 to 1 with 15 minutes left in the game. A fifth point by Springdale was nullified because of a foul.

With about six minutes to play, the Decatur Bulldogs exploded as both Vargas and Ming Vang both found the corner of the net. Decatur tried for the net several more times before time ran out, but the final was 4 to 3 Springdale.

"I'm very happy with the overall performance of the team," James said. "The big thing was the intensity level and shooting. The second half we were more intense and shot more and we did great."

"To lose by one to a 7A school like Springdale and Rogers Heritage, whose soccer programs have been in place for almost 20 years says a lot for the Decatur program," James said. "Once they pull together as a team, the Decatur Bulldogs could have a shot at the conference and state titles this season."

Sports on 03/18/2015