Lakeside and Hot Springs once again split their regular season games as the Rams defeated the Trojans in penalty kicks at Reese Memorial Stadium Thursday night.
After the Trojans (6-3, 4-1 5A/6A-6) took a 2-0 win at Austin Field on March 6, the Rams (7-2-1, 3-1) held on, sending the game to penalty kicks after the game remained scoreless after 80 minutes of play.
"It was good soccer," said Hot Springs head coach Geoffrey Hedrick of the game. "It was a little rough tonight, but that's Lakeside-Hot Springs soccer."
Lakeside head coach Craig Moses agreed, noting the area's introduction of soccer to players at a young age as being key to keeping the rivalry so competitive.
"It's always a good game," said Lakeside head coach Craig Moses. "It's just a testament to Hot Springs soccer. From the youth programs all the way up to the high school programs, it's just a testament of Hot Springs soccer in general that it's such a good game. We're competitive, not only in our conference, not only here in Hot Springs, but in the state.
"We've got to thank parents and coaches from both sides for that. I'm so proud of my guys for staying in there. We had some chances during the game, but the one thing we did was defensively played as strong as they have all year. That's what we've got to have. If we want to beat the best, we've got to have good defense."
With Devin Nieto in goal for Lakeside and first-year goalie Derrick Chambers in front of the net for the Trojans, it took six kicks from the spot to determine the winner.
"I knew it was up in the air," Moses said. "I was very confident in my guys taking penalty kicks because we do it every day. That's one of the things we do because we know in our conference it could come down to that against any team we play. We also want to try to be prepared. I know they were prepared. They have great penalty takers; I was just grateful for Devin Nieto stepping up and making those saves at the end.
Hot Springs' Jack Selig went to the mark first, sending the ball to the bottom right corner, but Nic Cato leveled the score as his went up and to the left of Chambers.
Cristian Jovel got the ball just past Nieto in the bottom right corner before Grant Viscardis sent the ball over Chamber's right shoulder to leave the penalty kicks tied at 2-2.
Josue Hernandez and Migueal Arreola both went low and right on their respective kicks for a 3-3 tie, but Wilmur Martinez made it 4-3 for Hot Springs before Russell Gartner's shot bounced off the crossbar.
Johnathan Aquino drilled one down the middle, but Nieto dropped down to block the shot. Lakeside senior Philip Gayle put the ball in the bottom right corner to force a sixth kick after a 4-4 tie after the required minimum five kicks.
Elvis Contreras took a shot down and to the right side, but Nieto's timely dive kept the Rams alive before Thomas McAlister went low and left as Chambers was unable to get in the way.
Several Hot Springs starters were benched due to grades.
"Our biggest problem was I checked grades Monday, and everybody who had an F on their report card didn't get to play," said Hot Springs head coach Geoffrey Hedrick. "In the JV game, I had a man down, and I didn't even sub him. I played a man down. Same with varsity."
Chambers picked up five saves and five blocks during regulation play before going to penalty kicks.
"When penalties come into play, anybody can win," Hedrick said. "The last shootout, I replaced Derrick and put an experienced veteran with penalties in, and it made a difference. I wanted to give him the chance to grow. I need him to grow, especially for the tournaments coming. I don't want a goalie that's half-confident."
Nieto had a busy night as well as the Trojan offense had 16 shots on goal. The junior keeper had 10 saves with three blocks.
"That's one reason I kept him in, to keep the flow of the game," Moses said. "We were playing such good ball in the first half, so I just wanted to keep that going. He was just playing so good, Anthony (Herrera) didn't get a chance to come in tonight. I think he understood, but at the same time, I hate it for him. Both of them are team players, and Devin just had the opportunity tonight and he took the best of it."
Hot Springs hosted Hope (3-5, 1-4) Friday night in a makeup game from Tuesday. The Trojans will host Class 4A Hamburg (7-2) Tuesday. Lakeside will travel to conference leader De Queen (7-2, 4-0) Tuesday.
Sports on 04/01/2018