Bentonville West’s girls soccer team scored four goals against Conway on Friday to win 4-3 in the Class 6A state tournament semifinals at Hendrix College in Conway.
The Wolverines advance to the state championship match after a back-and-forth game that saw both teams trade scoring chances throughout the afternoon. Conway kept pace, answering each Bentonville West goal with one of their own, but the Wolverines managed to pull ahead in the final minutes.
Mikayla Sullivan and Allison Rippy collided mid-field in the second half, drawing attention from referees and trainers, but both players stayed in the game. Sullivan later assisted on one of the Wolverines’ goals. Conway’s defense held strong through multiple set pieces, but couldn’t stop Bentonville West from netting the final goal that sealed the win.
Last year’s meeting between these two teams ended in disappointment for the Wolverines, who exited the tournament early. This time, they came prepared. Head coach Lindsey McFall said the team focused all week on adjusting their formation and doubling up on Conway’s top scorers.
“We knew they were going to come out flying,” McFall said. “The girls responded exactly how we needed them to. They stayed disciplined and kept pushing forward, even when it got tight.”
Bentonville West will face the winner of Friday’s other semifinal between Little Rock Parkview and Fayetteville. That match is scheduled for Saturday at 2 p.m. at Hendrix College. A win would give the Wolverines their first state title in program history.
Friday’s game drew a large crowd of families and students from both schools, many of whom made the trip to Conway to support their teams. The stands were packed during the final 20 minutes, with chants echoing across the field from both sides.
The team’s success this season has been built on strong defense and quick transitions, a style that paid off again on Friday. Goalkeeper Emma Reed made several key saves in the closing minutes to preserve the lead. Her performance earned praise from both coaches after the game.
Bentonville West finished the regular season with a 15-2-1 record and enters Saturday’s final on a nine-game winning streak.
Source: NWA Democrat Gazette
