EL DORADO HIGH SCHOOL, HOME OF THE WILDCATS...2008: Welcome
|
||
 |
|
|
|
|
| Welcome to THE 'DEN', HOME OF WILDCAT SOCCER. 115 x 75, Sweet Green Grass, MUAH!!!... OH YEAH!! |
Wednesday, April 23
Cats’ Seal Conference Championship, 1st Seed
Just an hour before kick off, the hail, wind and driving rain blew through Little Rock as the El Dorado boys’ soccer team traveled there for their final match of the regular season against the Parkview Patriots. A win would seal the 6A South conference championship and give them the #1 seed in 6A South going into the State Tournament in Searcy beginning this coming Saturday. The boys of El Dorado found a formidable adversary in the Patriots but, would ultimately win the contest 1-0. The Cats’ final regular season match victory propelled the boys to the top of the 6A South heap and they would conclude the season, 13-1-2 overall and 11-1 in conference play. The Patriots played a highly spirited match against the Cats’ and on more than one occasion threatened their goal. Senior goalkeeper, Christian Ridings, came up big in those critical situations, ultimately dashing the hope of the Patriot attack. The Patriots strength, however, was there defensive resolve in keeping the Cats’ at bay. While the Cats’ were able to launch eleven shots on goal in the first half alone, they all fell silent and the two sides went into the half time break knotted at zeroes. “Parkview came with a bunker and counter playing style. They virtually kept eight or nine guys in front of goal and had the resolve and discipline to stand in and not be broken. Typically in situations like that, we can pull a defensive structure apart at some point. Parkview did better than anyone we’ve played so far at holding on to shape”, said El Dorado coach Mike O’Donohoe. It wasn’t until the 64th minute that the Cats’ would find the loophole in the Patriot defense. El Dorados’ Hunter Brown played an early cross and senior midfielder, Austin Brown, moving into tight space was able to play a scissor volley on the incoming ball and ultimately “tickle the twine” to give the Cats’ the one goal lead. “Parkview played as hard as I have ever seen them play through the full eighty and I have to tip my hat to Coach Berjot’ as the preparation that he put into this match was evident. Their intensity level bordered inspirational”, commented O’Donohoe. The Cats’ will take off Wednesday and Thursday and will return to training on Friday to prepare for the upcoming State Tournament. “Typically, we would go straight into prep for the tournament, however, we have some dings, bruises, strains and sprains that we need to heal to bring us back to 100% and a couple of days off is just what the doctor ordered”, concluded O’Donohoe. The Cats’ drew a first round bye as first seed and will kick it off Monday, the 28th at 3:00 in Searcy at the Letain Devore Soccer Complex on the Porter Rogers field. The boys will play the winner of the Sylvan Hills, Lake Hamilton match.