VAN BUREN — One measly second.
The Bryant Hornets soccer team was that close to sending their 7A-Central Conference match to a second overtime. But, after rallying from a 2-0 deficit to get the contest to the extra period, the Hornets fell victim to a goal by the Van Buren Pointers on the last tick of the overtime. The Pointers prevailed 3-2.
The loss was another in a series of close ones for the Hornets since league play began. It dropped them to 6-6 overall and 1-6 versus the conference. They need another win or two to secure a post-season bid. They'll try to get one or both of those at home against Russellville on Tuesday, April 7, and against Conway on Thursday, April 9.
There are no easy ones in the soccer-rich 7A-Central.[more]
On Thursday at Van Buren, Alex Rowlan had both second-half goals to get the Hornets square after falling behind 2-0 in the first half.
"We started out playing hard but were down," noted head coach Jason Hay. "We fought back though. Alex scored one from about the 18 into the post, then picked up the trash on a corner to knock it in for the second goal.
"I was proud of the effort to fight back from 2-0," he added.
He lauded the play of Pete Alverio on the wing and noted the return of Forrest Fowler in just his second game back from an early-season injury.
"Forrest stepped in to play defense for the first time this year and did a great job," Hay stated. "Timmy Ezel and Tyler Salminen also did a good job on the defensive back. Alex, of course, had a good night with his two goals and I thought Reed Evans did well in the midfield."
