Both Greenwood High School soccer teams fell short of their goal of making the Class 5A state playoffs being held this week in Siloam Springs, but not by much. Still, after the fiasco of the 2020 season due to Covid-19, it was great just being able to get back out on the field and compete.
The 5A West is recognized by many observers as the toughest soccer league in the state across all classifications, and the Bulldogs and Lady Bulldogs were just a win or two away from cracking the top four and earning a playoff bid. The GHS boys finished above the .500 mark overall and in fifth place in league play, while the young GHS girls finished in sixth place in conference.
Russellville, Siloam Springs, Greenbrier, and Mountain Home are the girls teams playing in the state tournament this week from the 5A West. Van Buren replaces Mountain Home on the boys’ side, but the Bulldogs were very close, according to Head Coach Tyler Woods.
“We were 5-8-1 in conference and 9-8-1 overall,” said the coach. “We finished in 5th place in our conference, losing to Mountain Home and Greenbrier to end [league] play. We played Southside in a non-conference game for our last [match] and senior night, and we won 2-1. It was a nice way for the seniors to go out.
“Riley Wann finished the season with 13 goals and five assists, leading in both categories,” continued Woods. “Angel Hernandez and Devan Lamb each finished with 4 goals. Steven Duran tied Riley in assists with five and Ralph Meeker had three.
“We lose seven seniors from this team, so we'll return four starters [next year] and some guys who got a lot of quality playing time. Some notable [players] returning are Ralph Meeker, Steven Duran, Evan Walker, and Ben Moy. We are looking for some young guys to fill some positions next year. We plan on doing a 7-on-7 summer league this June and July, so hopefully we'll be able to develop some younger guys there,” said the coach.
“Even though our guys didn't make the playoffs like we wanted, we finished with a winning record of 9-8-1, the first winning record the boys have had since 2015. Our seniors were thrilled just to get back out and play after missing their junior season to Covid-19,” he concluded.
One of the top highlights this past season for the Bulldogs was a 2-2 tie against the two-time defending state champion Russellville Cyclones, with goals by Riley Wann and Ralph Meeker.
As for the Lady Bulldogs, Head Coach Andrew Post managed a very young and inexperienced team this spring, but still put a competitive group on the field. Across the state, teams were hurt by the Covid-19 pandemic that cost players nearly a full year of playing experience and development opportunities in 2020.
“The girls’ team did not qualify for the state playoffs,” said Post. “I believe we finished 6th in the conference. Ties against Van Buren, Mountain Home, and Vilonia cost us valuable points that would have placed us 4th had we won those games.” The Lady Bulldogs finished 5-9-3 overall and 3-8-3 against conference foes.
“In the end we had the opportunity to make the [post-season], but played ourselves out of a playoff spot,” he said candidly. “It was a close race between us, Van Buren, and Mountain Home for the final playoff spot.
“But these girls played hard all season long and I am very proud of their effort,” added the coach. “We lose five senior starters, who will be missed, but many young players received a lot of experience that will help us next year.”