GENTRY — On February 29, the varsity girls’ soccer team of Gentry High School competed in its first game of the season against the junior varsity team of Rogers Heritage High School. Newcomer and senior, Ana Linch, started Gentry off with a quick goal within the first few minutes. She finished the game with an astonishing three goals, otherwise known as a “hat trick,” and an overall great performance.
“I’m excited to get to play with another state-winning team," said Linch, who formerly played for the Siloam Springs High School soccer team. "Monday night was just the beginning. I can’t wait to see where this season takes us.”
Sophomore Valeena Lor also had her first goal of the season during the second half. This is the returning player’s second year playing for the soccer team. For this game, she was trying out a new position as a midfielder instead of her usual position among the defensive line.
As Lor reflected on the first goal of her high school career, she said, “The moment it happened it was unbelievable for me, hearing the crowd and my girls on the bench, it seemed so unrealistic.”
The Lady Pioneers ended the game with a final score of 4-0. As defending state champions, this was a pretty great start for their 2016 season.
Gentry’s junior varsity team also battled against Heritage’s ninth-grade team. The final result was a 2-0 win for Heritage, but it was not given to them easily.
The next round of soccer games will be played on Friday, March 4, at Gentry High School’s home field against Bentonville High School’s JV teams. Gentry’s JV game will start at 4:30 p.m., the varsity girls' game will start at 6 and the varsity boys will kick off at 7:30.
The above article was reproduced, with permission, from the Pioneer Press, Gentry High School's online newspaper, www.gentrypioneers.com/pioneerpress.