Lady Bulldogs failed to get ball past Lady Mounties

Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS Heidi Rubi (Decatur 8) steals the ball away from a Lady Mountie during the first half of the Rogers-Decatur girls' soccer match at Mountie Stadium in Rogers March 8. Rogers took the victory, 7-0, over Decatur in a non-conference matchup.
Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS Heidi Rubi (Decatur 8) steals the ball away from a Lady Mountie during the first half of the Rogers-Decatur girls' soccer match at Mountie Stadium in Rogers March 8. Rogers took the victory, 7-0, over Decatur in a non-conference matchup.

ROGERS -- In the final scrimmage of the preseason, the Lady Bulldog varsity soccer team traveled to Rogers to take on the 7A Lady Mounties junior varsity at Mountie Stadium March 8. The stronger Lady Mounties prevailed, handing the Lady Bulldogs their third loss, 7-0.

The Lady Mounties quickly established their dominance, overpowering the Decatur defense and scoring five points by the end of the first 30 minutes of play. By halftime, the Lady Mounties were up 5-0.

With a few changes to the lineup by Decatur coach Sheldon Mckinzie at the start of the second half, the Lady Bulldogs were able to stay with the Lady Mounties, working together to foil several Rogers scoring drives in the first 15 minutes.

The Lady Mounties played most of the contest in their own backfield near their net, passing the ball between the Rogers goalkeeper and their backfield and drawing the Decatur backfield to centerfield. When openings occurred in the Decatur defensive line, Rogers punched through, eventually scoring two additional points.

The Lady Bulldogs tried to make several runs on the net but were unable to get the ball past the Lady Mounties' goalkeeper. The Rogers Lady Mounties took the victory, 7-0, over the Decatur Lady Bulldogs.

The Lady Bulldogs were to travel to Springdale March 12 to take on the Shiloh Christian Saints in their first conference match of the season.

Sports on 03/14/2018