HARRISON -- It was a long, long journey that began in early March for the Decatur Bulldog boys soccer team. By the end of the 2022 regular season, the team earned the 3A West runners-up plaque for a second-place finish.
This award was presented to the team Thursday afternoon by head soccer coach Daniel Meyer. But the Bulldogs had little time to celebrate since it was on to the 3A state playoffs and a possible championship match spot.
Early Friday morning, the Bulldog boys departed Decatur bound for the Soccer Complex in Harrison where the playoffs were held this year.
With the second-place finish, the Bulldogs received an automatic bye in the play and a second seed berth in the 3A west/north bracket.
On Thursday, the Bulldogs squared off against the third seed in the 3A North, Buffalo Island Central Mustangs from Monette, at FedEx Field which is part of the Harrison complex.
About 20 minutes into the first half, Marvin Gramajo made a successful run on the Mustang-defended goal for the first point of the contest for the Bulldogs. A few minutes later Brian Ruiz, coming from the mid-wing position, made a run along the right sideline and launched a shot into the right corner of the net. The Bulldogs led, 2-0, over the Mustangs.
Toward the end of the first half, the Mustangs fouled a Decatur player, setting up a free-kick for the Bulldogs. Robert Thang stepped up to the line. The only person standing between Thang and the net was the Mustang goalie. Thang fired the ball past the goalie for the Bulldogs' third goal of the contest. The half ended with the Bulldogs leading the Mustangs, 3-0.
But the Mustangs were not out of the fight just yet. Buffalo Island hit a pair of goals, cutting Decatur's lead to one. Late in the half, Kayden Thompson managed to kick the final goal of the contest past the Mustang goalie, giving the Decatur Bulldogs the first-round victory, 4-2, over the Buffalo Island Central Mustangs and advancing to the second round Friday afternoon.
The match was scheduled for a 4 p.m. start time, so Decatur had plenty of time to rest. The Bulldogs arrived at the Harrison Soccer Complex around 3 p.m. for warm-ups. Shortly afterward, a fan bus arrived from Decatur to cheer the team on.
Fourth seed Lisa Academy West from Little Rock was the Bulldogs' next opponent in the second round of the 3A state tournament at Community Bank Field.
Lisa Academy was the first to score, about 10 minutes into the first half. A short time later, Steven Lucero put the ball past the Jaguar goalie to tie the score at one each.
The Jaguars hit one more goal in the first half, taking a 2-1 lead into the break.
As the second half progressed, the heat began taking its toll on both teams. Late in the half, a pair of back-to-back goals by the Jaguars increased the lead to 4-1.
The Bulldogs continued to fight back with the final goal of the contest made by Bulldog Brian Ruiz. This was the final goal of the 2022 Bulldog soccer season as the Lisa Academy Jaguars took the second-round victory, 4-2.
The Decatur Bulldog boys soccer team finished the 2022 season with a record of 13 wins, three losses and four ties.
Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS
Bulldog Andres Revolorio (3) leaps high in the air to intercept a kicked ball from the Jaguar goalie during the Lisa Academy-Decatur second round soccer contest in Harrison Friday afternoon. The Bulldogs lost to Lisa Academy in the 3A state playoffs 4-2.
Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS
Robert Thang takes a long shot toward the Jaguar defended goal during the second half of the Lisa Academy West-Decatur 3A state soccer playoff match in Harrison Friday afternoon. The Bulldogs lost to the Jaguars 4-2 to end their 2022 soccer season.
Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS
Edgar Herrera keeps the ball close as he makes a run downfield toward the Jaguar defended goal during the Lisa Academy-Decatur soccer match in Harrison Friday afternoon. Playing in the second round of the 3A state soccer playoffs, the Bulldogs lost to the Jaguars 4-2, ending their 2022 soccer season.
Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS
Brian Ruiz (34) communicates with his teammates downfield as he gets ready to send the ball during the first round soccer contest between Decatur and Buffalo Island Central Thursday morning in Harrison. Ruiz made one goal during the contest which contributed to the Bulldogs' 4-2 win over the Mustangs.