2nd-half rally helps Tigers repeat

Green Forest High School won its second consecutive Class 3A boys state soccer championship Saturday, May 18, beating repeated state champs and North Little Rock powerhouse Central Arkansas Christian 4-1 at Estes Stadium on the campus of the University of Central Arkansas in Conway.

It’s the third state title in the past four years and the fourth overall for the Tigers, who won the Class 4A state championship over CAC in 2014.

After trailing 1-0 at halftime, the Tigers overcame the Mustangs’ reputedly impenetrable defense only after settling down from the excitement of playing in a college stadium with artificial turf, a massive video scoreboard and a noisy CAC crowd that outnumbered Green Forest spectators 3-1.

The Tigers don’t lose very often. Their 2024 conference record is 12-0. For 2023, it was 12-1-1 – with their single loss to Haas Hall of Bentonville, which they then beat in the 2023 state finals. In 2022, the Tigers went 15-1, losing only to Harding Academy and settling for the state runner-up trophy. For 2021, the Tigers’ record was 120. There were no games in the 2020 pandemic year.

In 2019, the Tigers went 12-1. That loss was to CAC in the state finals. So, Saturday, there was significant history – and just a little anxiety on both sides as the archrivals faced off once again. After all, Green Forest had sent CAC home from the state tournament in 2021 and 2023. And just a week earlier, CAC’s girls had ended the Lady Tigers’ run for the state girls title.

In the first eight minutes of Saturday’s game, it looked like a sure thing for Green Forest. The ball slammed into the back of the Mustangs’ net and euphoria erupted in the Green Forest stands.

Then the referee nullified the goal, ruling Green Forest offsides. The shot had ricocheted from a Tigers shot off of a CAC defender, which would have made it a humiliating own-goal with the Mustangs scoring on themselves.

Losing the goal was deflating. Green Forest spectators were certain the Tigers had not been offsides. But Green Forest continued to dominate with three times as many shots on goal.

“We had a lot of athletes playing that also played in last year’s state final,” said Green Forest coach Adam Richter. “Playing on that level is nerve-racking, and I think we were able to feel less nervous, having felt the pressure so recently.” After all, Green Forest just barely squeaked through to the finals, winning its semifinal game against Cossatot River 3-2.

But on Saturday, “We were dominant in possession,” said Richter, “and managed to put enough pressure on CAC to find weak spots.”

The Tigers kept the ball in front of the Mustangs’ goal. Seldom did CAC manage to take the ball to the Green Forest net. But with 11 minutes left in the first half, the Mustangs did just that.

And they scored. The Tigers had only been scored on four times all season. They were stunned. One goal could be all it would take to lose their 3A crown, particularly if CAC dropped back and put everything into defense, a tactic the Mustangs have made work before – and for which world champions such as Italy are notorious.

“For the past two seasons, we’ve never been scored on first. I think we were all shocked that it happened,” said Richter.

With the massive video scoreboard proclaiming Central Arkansas Christian 1, Green Forest 0, the half ended. There was gloom in the red-and-white section of the stands and undisguised delight in the CAC bleachers.

Then the Tigers returned to the field.

And something amazing happened. Green Forest continued to dominate just as they had in terms of possession — keeping the ball in front of the Mustangs goal. Green Forest’s much-feared defense continued to frustrate CAC’s fast, coordinated attack.

But something had changed.

“We hadn’t been playing our game,” said Richter. “In the first half, we fell into the trap of playing CAC at their tempo.”

So, early into the second half, a calmeddown Tiger sophomore Adrian Milton “Little Messi” Ortiz popped the ball into the net, evening up the score, 1-1.

Minutes later, graduating senior Chris Alvarado went next – slipping past the CAC goalkeeper to put Green Forest up 2-1.

Then Ortiz did it again.

And Alvarado did an encore.

The score: 4-1 Green Forest. The air went out of CAC’s tires. They knew they couldn’t get it back.

So, what did Richter say during halftime to spur such a turnaround?

As the discouraged Tigers had gathered around, Richter had shrugged off the 0-1 deficit.

“I told the team that we still had 40 minutes to make a difference and we needed to change the tempo.”

Assistant coach Fernando Fuentes agreed.

“Coach Fernando and I told them to focus on possession of the ball instead of forcing the play and sending long balls that were 50/50,” said Richter.

A 50/50 ball results from a long, clearing pass that safely gets the ball away from the goal, but which either team can snag.

“Luckily, they listened,” said Richter. “We were able to find our pace and play with more confidence.”

CAC never scored again. Green Forest retained control, moving the ball downfield with short, well-placed passes. The red-and-white end of the stands got louder while the Mustang bleachers grew quiet.

In all, Green Forest took 25 shots on goal compared to CAC’s six.

And at the final buzzer, Green Forest had defended its 3A state title and the Tigers were once again Arkansas 3A state champions.

Next spring, because of Green Forest’s increased enrollment, soccer and other sports join Tiger football in Class 4A. In fact, Green Forest will be perhaps the smallest 4A school in the state.

Can Tiger soccer be competitive at such a level. Can they win against bigger schools?

Neither Richter nor Fuentes are worried. After all, the 2014 state championship was at 4A since no 3A bracket had been offered.

Green Forest soccer has actually missed playing 4A. Their conference wins have been virtually assured.

“Because our 3A conference has not been very challenging, we’ve developed a tradition of playing big schools – and winning,” said Fuentes. “What’s great is that they like playing us. Rogers, Siloam Springs, Harrison — they know we will give them a good game.”

“We played 4A Dardanelle this year and tied them 1-1,” noted Richter. “Dardanelle then continued on to the state finals against Clarksville, losing in penalty kicks. We have good talent staying, as well as talent moving up from eighth grade, so I feel confident moving into 4A next season.”

And although the team is losing its play-making captain, Sergio Martinez, and key starter Alvarado as well as Edgar Duenas, Kyaw Soe and Alex Alvarez, this is a very young team. Their starting goalkeeper in the championship game was a freshman — Abisai Reyes.

The game’s MVP trophy went to sophomore Ortiz.

“We are keeping some highly talented kids,” said Richter. “During this state final, we had sophomores and juniors show incredible leadership. Our veterans will be missed, but I’m assured there will be leaders stepping up to fill the void.”

Soccer fills a unique role in Green Forest – where kids in recent years came from families speaking as many as 15 languages at home.

“Soccer is more than just a sport,” says Berryville native Richter. “It brings people together from all over the world.”

Is it difficult coaching players from so many different backgrounds?

“Sometimes, norms between cultures clash — which can be expected,” says Richter. “However, I don’t think we have had any struggle coming together as a team. It’s great to learn about cultures from around the world and gain new perspectives.

“These kids are a blessing.”