It's been a tough run for both GHS soccer teams since returning to action after last month's spring break, roughly corresponding with the start of 7A/6A Central conference play.
The Lady Bulldogs have lost three straight after ending March with a pair of victories. The GHS boys haven't won since March 10th and have scored more than one goal in a match just once since then, enduring three shutout losses along the way.
Lady Bulldogs
The Greenwood girls won 3-0 over Van Buren on March 29th and 4-1 over Poteau (OK) on the 31st in non-conference play, but haven't scored a goal in the month of April, hampered by some key injuries. The Lady Bulldogs fell 4-0 to Bryant on April 1st, 2-0 to Siloam Springs on April 5th, and 1-0 to Conway last Friday.
Both Bryant and Conway are 7A schools, but the loss to Class 6A Siloam Springs hurt the most, because only 6A conference games will count toward qualifying for post-season play. Head Coach Andrew Post had the following comments about his Lady Bulldogs.
"The girls varsity has been experiencing some injuries as of late and have been in a three-game slide," said the coach. "We made some simple mistakes against Bryant, and that cost us two goals in the first half that we did not recover from.
"Bryant is a very good team and the defending 7A state champions. They have a great coach and played very disciplined. It was not a good showing for us, and I don't believe we played anywhere near our potential, and that continued against Siloam Springs," added Post.
"We were banged up and were without a few starters. With that said, we really played well, but allowed an easy goal in the first half. Despite controlling the game the second half and only giving up one or two shots, we couldn’t get one of our many shots on goal into the back of the net.
"[Siloam Springs] was a disappointing loss, but we actually played much better and [controlled] the ball," said the coach. "We created several opportunities to score. I was very pleased with the effort.
"We are experiencing growing pains at the moment, and I believe we will get through them. We have plenty of [season] yet to play, and our best soccer is still in front of us," added Post.
Bulldogs
The GHS boys tied Van Buren 1-1 on March 29th and lost to Poteau (OK) 2-1 on the 31st. Since the start of conference play, the Bulldogs have fallen 1-0 to Bryant, 3-0 to Siloam Springs, and 2-1 to Conway. The Siloam Springs and Conway losses were both at home last week.
Regarding his Bulldogs, Post said, "The boys have really been struggling with their identity since coming back from spring break. They played well enough to win against Van Buren, but gave up a late goal that ended the game in a tie.
"The Poteau and Bryant games were a result of poor play in the first half, and led to a deficit that we could not overcome, despite playing very well in the second half. There was a lack of focus against Siloam Springs and we fell 3-0," added the coach.
"I really think Siloam is a team we can beat, and the [Bulldogs] were very disappointed in that result. Led by the seniors, the guys regrouped for the Conway game and played some of the best soccer they have played all season. They took a 1-0 lead halfway through the first half, but a mistake in marking led to a goal for Conway off a corner kick.
"In the second half the guys played very well, from the back line to the forwards. [Goalkeeper] Aric McKinney was a brick wall, and our young players stepped up. The guys had a great opportunity to take the lead in the last few minutes, but the Conway [goaltender] made a great save to keep the score tied. The game went into penalty kicks and Conway came out on top.
"Overall, it was a great result for the guys who played very, very well against an undefeated 7A school ranked #1 in the state by Max Preps. The game shows the level [at which] these guys can play when they are focused and on the same page," said Post.
Both GHS squads will host Rogers High School this Thursday evening at Smith-Robinson Stadium, before traveling across the Arkansas River to Van Buren for a doubleheader on Friday.
The GHS boys will play at Hot Springs next Thursday, and both Greenwood teams will host Russellville on Friday, April 22nd, in another crucial 6A match-up.