GREENWOOD — Caroline Campbell had her second hat trick in as many matches and assisted on a goal by Anna Lowery while the Bryant Lady Hornets’ defense posted their ninth shutout Friday night in a 4-0 win over the Greenwood Lady Bulldogs.
The Lady Hornets, now 10-0 overall and 2-0 in 7A/6A-Central Conference matches, had their hands full with a Greenwood, according to Bryant head coach Julie Long. Though 8-6-1, the Lady Bulldogs’ other losses have been to Fort Smith Northside (twice), Cabot, Fort Smith Southside and Mount St. Mary Academy.
“We played a very physical and good team,” Long said. “The girls played possession soccer and made the game look pretty. They brought high intensity from the first minute to the last minute.
“We have stuff to still work on but the effort was very good,” she continued. “We played with poise and heart.”
Greenwood managed five shots on goal but Bryant keeper Brittney Warner had two saves and the others were well defended by the Lady Hornets’ splendid back line.
“My defense stayed tough,” Long acknowledged. “They have been holding off teams very well.
“Offensively we put it together tonight too,” she noted. “The ball movement was very nice and we created several opportunities finishing off four of them. I’m proud of all of them.
“However, being proud and satisfied are two different things,” the coach said.
“Greenwood did expose some weaknesses that we will have to tweak and fix, but that’s what we are preparing for.”
Bryant made four of 14 shots with Lowery’s goal finding the back of the net off Campbell’s assist just over five minutes into the match.
Campbell’s first goal was off an assist from Britney Sahlmann. It came with 11:21 left in the half.
Less than 10 minutes into the second half, Lowery fed Campbell for her second goal. The third score for Campbell came with nine minutes left off an assist by Kendall Selig.
Bryant has now outscored its opponents 32-1 so far this season.
The Lady Hornets’ junior varsity also got a match in, winning 6-0. Freshman Abbie Patton had three goals for the hat trick. Ashlyn Thompson, Hannah Fort and Natalie Pierce also knocked in shots.
“The JV also played very well and didn’t give up a single shot,” Long noted. “They worked hard and also possessed the ball very well. This group is so string. Each of them continually grow every game. I was proud of all of them.”
Thompson broke the ice on the scoring with 15:15 left in the first half. Mary Leon had the first of her two assists. The second came at the 11:35 mark when Fort found the range.
Patton’s first goal came with 1:45 left in the half. She scored again with just 16 seconds left. Kathryn Vivar had the assist on the first goal and Fort contributed the feed on the second.
Patton’s third game came with 21:48 left in the contest. Stefany Roman assisted. Patton then came through with an assist on the final goal, drilled by Pierce with 4:00 on the clock.
The Lady Hornets’ varsity plays its first 7A foe in Central Conference play on Tuesday when they take on the rival Conway Lady Cats on the road. Unlike the previous two conference victories, Tuesday match will go toward qualifying for post-season play for both Bryant and Conway.
The Lady Hornets’ JV is scheduled to play next at home on Thursday, April 7, against Hot Springs Lakeside.
