Photos by Rick Nation
Caroline Campbell went on a four-goal spree to break open a 1-1 match as the Bryant Lady Hornets surged to a 6-1 win in a first-place showdown with the El Dorado Lady Wildcats Tuesday night at Bryant Stadium.
Both teams were 4-0 in conference play going into the contest. Bryant improved to 10-0-2 with the victory, wrapping up the first half of the league schedule at 5-0. The Lady Hornets host the rival Benton Lady Panthers on Thursday.
“I was pleased with how the girls played after the first half,” stated Bryant coach Julie Long, whose team led 3-1 at the break. “The girls worked hard the whole game and I was pleased with our effort. We came out a little jittery and spastic but, once we settled down, it was a good game.”
Jacie McMahan put the first point on the board six minutes in. That held until 5:41 when El Dorado tied it with just the fourth goal the Lady Hornets have allowed all season.
It didn’t stay tied long. At 3:23, Campbell drilled her first goal off an assist from McMahan. And with :35 remaining, the duo combined again to make it 3-1.
Anna Lowery made it 4-1 in the first five minutes of the second half. Campbell wrapped up the scoring with two quick goals at 7:38 and 6:12. Rori Whittaker and Hadley Dickinson assisted, respectively.
“This second round through the conference, we are going to try to work to get better at our passing,” Long said. “I’m excited to see what the girls can do.”