For Head Coach Tyler Woods and the Greenwood boys soccer program, just like every other GHS spring sports team, the 2020 season is best forgotten. In his second turn at the helm of the Bulldogs, Woods had high hopes for significant improvement last spring until the coronavirus reared its ugly head.

“We got to play a benefit game against Prairie Grove and a non-conference [match] against Maumelle that we won 3-2,” said Woods in a recent interview. “We played in a tournament where we won one and lost two, then right before we shut it down, we played a conference game against Little Rock Christian. We tied them 1-1 and went to PKS (penalty kicks saved) and lost,” recalling the start of last year’s abbreviated season.

“We had made a lot of progress,” added Woods. “We had a really strong team last year. We had three seniors – Landon Henning, our goalkeeper Jackson Stewart, and Aaron Waldron. We also had three foreign kids that we lost, two Italians and one German kid. They were pretty good players. So we lost five really good offensive players and a goalkeeper.”

But hope springs eternal as the Bulldogs prepare for a new season. “We return most of our defense, which is good, but in soccer its easier to teach kids how to defend,” revealed Woods. “It’s harder to teach kids how to score. It’s a skill you have to develop over time after years of playing and thousands and thousands of touches on the ball. It’s hard to turn a kid into a scorer. But we do have some kids coming back who can score, and we’ve had a couple of additions too.”

Woods has 29 players on his current roster, with the possibility of more coming out after basketball and wrestling have concluded their seasons. Nineteen of those players are presently on the varsity roster.

“Our numbers are still great,” said the coach who arrived in Greenwood in 2018 after four years as the founder and head coach of the boys soccer program at Beebe High School. “We’ve got seven seniors and all of them are going to be very helpful this year. They’re going to play a key role.”

One of those seniors is two-sport athlete L.D. Richmond, who played football for the state champion Bulldogs last fall. “L.D. is a first-year soccer player, but he’s an athlete, the starting quarterback who will play college football,” said Woods. “I convinced him to come and try out for our keeper, and he is a natural at it.

“It’s going to be important to get him some experience, but from what I’ve seen so far, he’s going to do really well. The other kids are impressed with him as well. He’s really taken a liking to it too. He’s loving the game,” said the coach.

“Devan Lamb was our starting left-back playing defense last year, but this year he will play a little more mid-field or left-mid,” continued Woods. “He’s got a good left foot even though he’s right-footed. He’ll have a big role at mid-field. [But] I’ve got two Lambs,” he added, referring to fellow senior Jonathan Lamb.

“They told me they are cousins, but I think they just have the same last name,” said the coach with a hint of good-natured skepticism in his voice. But related or not, Devan and Jonathan will be key components if the Bulldogs are to be successful this season.

“Jonathan is like Devan,” said their coach. “He also rotates [positions] and both of them have come a long way [in] skill development. They’ve put in a lot of work. Jonathan is like our utility knife. We could probably play him at any position. Last year he would have started at center-back for us, but he can play the mid-field and forward. He’s a dependable defender with good skills. If he shares the ball, he does really well and creates a lot of opportunities for us.”

Senior Angel Hernadez transferred to Greenwood from Fort Smith Southside before his junior year and hopes to put his stamp on yet another GHS sports team after winning a state title on the gridiron last fall. “He played football and started [several] games at linebacker,” recalled Woods. “[But] he played soccer when he was younger and I convinced him to come out, and he’s really good. He’s got a motor that never quits. He’s going to play center-mid for us. He’s a hard worker and a natural leader. The kids look up to him. You’ll be impressed to see him on the field.

“Travis Johns is a kid I’ve seen grow up a lot, and he’s come a long way,” said the coach. “His skill [level] has done a 180 from the time I saw him as a sophomore. He’s gotten stronger in our off-season program. He’s a ‘Yes sir, no sir’ kid. He always has a smile on his face and is willing to do whatever it takes. He’s going to start at right back for us.

“We return our entire defense, even though we will change some things around. We return all four guys on our back line from last year. [Travis] anchors the defense. He just knows what to do and where to be,” added his coach.

Woods then turned his attention to senior Connor Marvin, who is returning to soccer after leaving the sport years ago. “He played soccer when he was younger and apparently was a stud, but he quit playing in about sixth or seventh grade and focused on football,” said the coach. “But he told me the other day ‘I wish I had stuck with it. I’m having a blast.’

“He’ll probably start at right-back and I’ll move Travis to left-back and Devan Lamb up to mid-field. They may move around a little bit. But Connor is the fastest kid on our team and the strongest kid. He looks like an ox walking around. I’m going to let him get off the bus first on away games. He’s a great kid and he’s just happy to be out there. He’s going to play college football at Hendrix. [Soccer] will help with his footwork and stamina and keeping him in shape.”

The team’s final senior is Riley Wann. “He’s probably our best player skill-wise and athletically,” said Woods. “He started a couple of games as a freshman, so technically he is a four-year starter. He’s played a lot of outside-mid because he’s got a lot of speed. He’s going to play forward for us [this season]. He’s going to have a big role in scoring for us. He’s one of our bigger leaders. He does everything I ask him to, and he goes the extra mile. His speed and skill will help out a lot.”

While the Bulldogs have a wealth of talented seniors, the junior class is a bit thin in numbers, though not in talent and potential. “We really don’t have a lot of juniors, and that’s kind of weird. I know teams go through this, and the junior class is kind of small for us,” explained the coach, referring to his four 11th graders.

“Micah Lensing plays basketball and he will play mid-field and forward for us. He’s a left footer, which is nice to have. His brother is my assistant coach, Ryan Lensing, so I won’t get him until after girls basketball. The elder Lensing also assists Lady Bulldogs’ Head Coach Clay Reeves and the GHS girls are chasing yet another state basketball title.

“Marco Dominguez is in wrestling, but he is a mid-fielder for us with a high motor,” continued Woods. “I didn’t get to see him at all last year because he was still in wrestling during that time before Covid. So it’s been two years and I’m anxious to see how much he’s grown and developed in coordination and technique.

“Ben Moy started at center-back for us last year and he’s got a leadership mentality. He wants to stay late with the defensive guys and work with them on the weekend, and I love that. He wants to get better. He loves and enjoys soccer. He’s an anchor for us. I’m just glad there’s an 11 beside his name and not a 12. I’m glad he’s a junior and not a senior. We’re fortunate to have Ben Moy,” said the coach.

The fourth and final junior on the roster is Cole Meyers. “Everybody loves Cole Meyers,” said Woods. “He started as a ninth grader on the JV defense. I don’t know if he had ever played before, and he didn’t really have a lot of skill, but he has gotten a lot better over the two years. He even asked to try out for goalkeeper, and he’s got a chance along with L.D. [Richmond] and a ninth grader. He’s come a long way. He gives everything he’s got and he’s a true pleasure to have on the team.”

The 2021 roster lists even fewer sophomores, just Steven Duran, Evan Walker, and Ralph Meeker. “Steven will start some games for us this year,” said the coach. “He rotated last year a few games at outside-mid. There were four of five freshmen that were really solid, and he was one of them. He’ll play some center-mid for us and maybe some outside-mid. He’s going to be really instrumental for us, and over the next two years that group will be very big for our program.

“Evan Walker is in that same group. He’ll probably start at outside-mid for us. He’s a really hard worker. The guy loves to lift [weights] and he probably put on 20 to 25 pounds of muscle since the quarantine. He’s overcome a lot of things and I’m just happy he’s with us. He’s a pleasure to coach,” added Woods.

“Ralph Meeker has really big potential to play college soccer,” offered his coach. “He’s a sophomore this year and it’s sad he got cheated out of his freshman year. That year of development would have made him just that much better. When he wants to, he can take a game over. He’s probably our second or third fastest kid and he has two dominant feet. He can score with both his left and his right foot, and he’s growing more confident every day. If he applies himself and works [hard] he could be an all-state player this year. He’s that good. I don’t think he understands how good he can be.”

Next, the third-year GHS head coach turned his focus on several promising freshmen, starting with Brandon Coston “Out of our three goalkeepers right now, he probably has the most skill,” surmised Woods. “He’s a little smaller and not as strong as the other two, but he has the best technique. Brandon needs to get stronger and more coordinated, but I think he’s going to do well in the JV games. He’s going to be really good in the next three years.

“Bodey Steinfeldt will get some playing time this year. He’s a kicker on the ninth-grade football team and he’s played a lot of recreational soccer. His dad has coached him and done a good job. He’ll play some defense and he’s learning fast. He’s quiet and a really good kid. He may even start a few games if we need him too, but he will definitely rotate in on defense.”

Then there is the odd case of freshman Israel Ajtum. “He’s from Guatamala and he’s [probably] here for just a semester, but he’s not a foreign exchange student,” explained the coach. “He’s an incredible player, but we weren’t sure he was going to be eligible to play, but he is and we’re really excited about that.

“He’s really nifty in the mid-field. He can keep the ball on his foot and look up and not have a problem finding players in space. I think he’s going to assist in a lot of goals because of that. He’s going to be able to hold the ball up and draw defenders to him and let us take advantage of one-on-one situations. He’s going to be a pleasure to have.

“Tucker Wooten is a left-footed kid and he’s tall and lanky,” said Woods. “He’s got the perfect frame for soccer. He’ll need some time to develop and grow and get stronger, but he will get some experience at outside-mid this year.”

The final freshman on the GHS varsity roster is another ninth-grade football player. “Eli Whitaker has been coming to my open scrimmages since the sixth grade,” revealed his coach. “He’s a strong kid and one of the oldest ninth graders. He’s a football – basketball kid, and if he comes out, he has a chance to start right away as center back on defense. He’s really physical and athletic with a strong left foot. He just has to learn a little bit of the game.

Several other football and basketball athletes have expressed interest in joining the soccer team, but Woods isn’t counting his chickens just yet. They are all starters and top performers in other sports and have enjoyed great success this school year, winning two River Valley Conference titles on the gridiron and the hardcourt. “If they do [come out] they could definitely help us,” acknowledged a hopeful Woods.

So the Bulldogs should be strong defensively with a lot of experienced skilled personnel returning from previous seasons. “I wouldn’t call them the best defenders in the conference, but they know what to do because they have so much experience. It’s nice to have guys who have been around the program. The know delay, deny, destroy, the kind of principles we teach on defense,” observed Woods.

But the concern this season, as in most every season, is offensive production. The Bulldogs will need to find some new scorers this season to replace the departed ones. “Their DNA makeup is different from last year,” said their coach. “This team is more in-your-face, aggressive, stealing the ball and [maintaining] pressure, with big-time energy. We’ve also got a lot of speed. Maybe we’re not as skilled, but we’ll make up for that with our work ethic.

“Every year it’s tough to score in high school soccer. If you can score, you should have no problem winning games. But everybody has that same problem. The kids that can score are usually the kids that have played their entire lives,” said Woods. “We’ve got two fast forwards (Meeker, Wann) that are fairly skilled and hard workers in the mid-field. [But] we’re going to have to scrap for goals. Our kids will have to adjust and learn on the fly. If they can’t score, we won’t win many matches.”

Coach Woods also mentioned a quirk in the 2021 schedule that puts a premium on the team’s first conference match. “Our first week (March 4th) we play one of the biggest games of the season [against Greenbrier]. It’s tough because most teams grow a lot the first few games. [But] that is a must-win kind of game. We’ve got to beat the teams we can beat.”

That statement is especially true in the 5A West, probably the best boys’ soccer league in the state regardless of classification. “Russellville and Siloam Springs will always be good,” confessed Woods. “They end up in the finals every year or every other year. We can compete with those guys, but we have to buckle up. This is the toughest conference in the state of Arkansas.”

And this season two new schools have joined the conference, replacing Beebe and Little Rock Christian, and both have good soccer programs. “Van Buren drops down from 6A and they are very good,” said the coach. Mountain Home is the other newcomer, and the Bombers are known for having a solid program as well. “We have to win that game to have a chance to go to the playoffs.”

Ironically, Greenwood visits Mountain Home on April 30th, the final match of the regular season. The Bombers come to Greenwood on April 1st. After the conference opener at home against Greenbrier next week, the Bulldogs will host Russellville on March 12th in another key league test. Greenwood will also travel to Dardanelle for their regular season opener next Monday, March 1st. They will host Cossatot River in a benefit match this Thursday at Smith-Robinson Stadium. The GHS boys will also travel to Prairie Grove next Friday, March 5th.

As for making the state playoffs, Coach Woods said, “We’re just trying to make it through one game at a time,” but also acknowledged the possibility of a conference tournament at the end of the regular season to determine playoff representatives. But that would likely only happen if one or more conference teams were unable to make up matches postponed due to Covid-19.

“Another change this year is there are no shootouts anymore,” revealed the coach. “If there is a tie in a game, we’re going by the point system. That’s going to make a big difference in how our soccer seedings [will] be determined and maybe change the way some coaches scheme for some games.” Match winners receive three points, while losses are worth zero points. A tie results in both teams earning one point.

“If we’re playing Russellville, Siloam springs, or Van Buren, that works in our favor,” admitted Woods. “But I don’t want to tie against [teams like] Greenbrier and Alma, but who knows what will happen or how it will be played.”

The coach also said this 2021 crop of Bulldogs will be a very physical bunch. “A lot of soccer games are decided in the first five to ten minutes, and it does get pretty physical. Most of the good teams are very physical on the ball. Having guys that can mix it up is going to be big for us.”

The Bulldogs have some intriguing players with a lot of athletic ability and great potential, but some of Woods’ charges haven’t played soccer in years or may lack the necessary skill level or match experience to compete with the top teams in the 5A West. So they will have to grow up quickly under fire and gel together as a team built on a strong defense, hoping to use their speed and physicality to find enough scoring power to keep themselves competitive. It’s a daunting task, but after last year’s aborted season, Coach Woods and his Bulldogs are ready for the challenge. We wish them well.