Soccer Wrap-Up

In recent years, winning state championships has been rather routine for the Harrison Goblins' boys soccer team. Ironically, though, 2008 wasn't supposed to be a year when coach Chris Pratt's perennial powerhouse would challenge for the Class 5A crown. Then again, whether it was expected to be a serious contender or not, playing a tougher-than-nails regular-season schedule ultimately paid off in a big way as Harrison (17-9) claimed its sixth state title in seven years with a 2-0 conquest of Little Rock Christian in the finale. The Goblins netted one score in each half, while senior goalkeeper and state tourney Most Valuable Player Jason Boehm managed a superb individual effort as he kept LRC scoreless. Offensively, senior Tyler Patrick booted in a goal midway through the opening half that would have been enough as it turned out. But senior Garrett Beeler tacked on an insurance goal in the second half and that was more than enough with Boehm pitching a shut out. Pratt lauded a stingy defensive effort as a key component in his squad's ability to bring home a first-place trophy. "Our team defense was great," he said. "We only gave up one goal total (in the entire state tournament). When you're not giving up many goals or none at all, it really gets you going." Of course, Boehm's steady, if not spectacular work, was a huge plus as well. "Jason made some big-time saves," Pratt said. Although Harrison had its share of difficulties and then some prior to the post-season, Pratt praised this bunch for how they persevered to become champions once again. "We weren't a strong team all year," Pratt said. "But we got on a hot streak ... I just told the boys, lets go there and see what happens. We had been there before and they were confident." The bad taste of how things ended in 2007 likely provided Pratt's Goblins a bit of extra motivation, too. "The experience of having lost in the semifinals last year at home was incentive," Pratt said. This time, the results for Harrison will be worth savoring for several weeks and months. "I knew we could be competitive," Pratt assured. "It just all came together in the state tournament." In Class 7A, Fort Smith Southside's boys and Benotnville's girls also played for titles. But both teams came up just short in their quests for hauling home championship hardware. Southside (17-4-1) gave highly-regarded Conway (21-0) a battle, before ultimately falling 1-0. In semifinal-round action, coach Mauricio Maciel's Rebels edged Little Rock Catholic 2-1 with goals by Mahmoud Ihmedian and Jonathon Flayes. The defending state champion Lady Tigers (24-2-1) had hopes of making it two in a row. Instead, Mount Saint Mary's (19-1-1) put a damper on Bentonville's dream season with a 2-1 conquest that was decided on penalty kicks. Despite being derailed in the semifinals, both Rogers' teams had reason to be pleased with their state tourney performances as well. The Mountaineers (17-5-1) suffered a 3-1 setback to eventual state champion Conway. Meanwhile, coach Chris Leshinski's Lady Mounties (15-9-1) came out on the short end of a thrilling double overtime defeat against Benton County and league rival Bentonville.