Lady Pioneers win 4A state soccer title

Photo by Mike Eckels The Gentry girls’ soccer team takes a moment for pictures shortly after winning the 4A state soccer title at a game played at the University of Arkansas soccer field in Fayetteville May 22. The Pioneers defeated the Central Arkansas Christian Lady Mustangs, 2 to 0. For the story and more photos, see Page B1.
Photo by Mike Eckels The Gentry girls’ soccer team takes a moment for pictures shortly after winning the 4A state soccer title at a game played at the University of Arkansas soccer field in Fayetteville May 22. The Pioneers defeated the Central Arkansas Christian Lady Mustangs, 2 to 0. For the story and more photos, see Page B1.

FAYETTEVILLE -- Gentry Coach Fabrizio Campagnola wasn't thrilled that his Lady Pioneers had to wait an entire week to play in the Class 4A girls soccer state championship game, but it was worth it.

Sophomore forward Amber Ellis scored early in the first half on her way to earning MVP honors as Gentry defeated Central Arkansas Christian, 2-0, Friday to claim the state title at Razorback Field.

Campagnola said earlier in the week he would have been happy to have kept playing last weekend after his Lady Pioneers, who finished 12-6-1, won three matches in three days at the state tournament in Maumelle.

"We were playing so well last weekend, but I was so proud [today]," Campagnola said. "They showed so much maturity. They came back and were ready to play. After three or four days, there's been so much going on. So much excitement, distractions. They came back here and they started all over."

"They didn't give anything away, nothing easy at all, and against such a good team. That was the key."

That was an understatement, particularly in the first half.

CAC (14-4) did not have a shot on goal in the opening half and was limited to a handful in the final 40 minutes. But whenever the Lady Mustangs managed a shot, Gentry goal keeper Chastery Fuamatu was up to the task. The freshman made a diving save on a potentially game-tying shot by Riley Sullivan from point-blank range early in the second half.

Junior midfielder Haley Borgeteien-James responded with a goal that gave Gentry a 2-0 lead in the 60th minute.

Campagnola said the Lady Pioneers, who finished runner-up to Shiloh Christian in the 4A-1 Conference, do a good job of disrupting opponents.

"At times, we play something that's fun to see, but really our best quality is we don't let the other team play and we build up from there," Campagnola said. "This group has been wonderful. We have four seniors, but it's a very balanced group."

Ellis, who set a state record a year ago with 68 goals, said her mission this season was to help bring a state title to Gentry. She struggled to find words to describe the feeling after accomplishing that Friday.

"I'm speechless really," Ellis said, shaking her head. "It was the dream."

Ellis acknowledged there were plenty of nerves prior to the final.

"I was so nervous," said Ellis, who got the Lady Pioneers going midway through the first half with her 41st goal of the season. "Oh man, I couldn't sleep last night because I couldn't stop thinking about this game.

"When we stepped onto the field, we were just so excited, and we play best when we're excited."

CAC Coach Carter Lambert said Gentry was the aggressor, especially early, and it paid off. Gentry was the only team to score against CAC in four state tournament matches.

"They took their chances and we didn't," Lambert said. "A lot of effort there. Gentry came out really strong, well-prepared, very aggressively and played well. I thought the second half we made some adjustments and had several chances. Their keeper made some great saves.

"You can't take anything away from them. It was a good team victory."

The game final was Gentry, 2; Central Arkansas Christian, 0.

Sports on 05/27/2015