LITTLE ROCK — In a five-minute burst, the Little Rock Central Tigers scored three second-half goals to[more] break open a scoreless duel with the Bryant Hornets at Quigley-Cox Stadium Thursday night. The Tigers held on for a 3-1 win in the 7A/6A-Central Conference opener for both teams.
It was the first loss of the season for the Hornets, who came in 5-0.
“We played very flat and uninspired in the second half,” commented Hornets coach Jason Hay. “Central out-worked us and it showed up on the scoreboard. We will get it fixed and get ready for Catholic after spring break.”
The Hornets take on the Rockets at Bryant Stadium on Tuesday, March 27.
Thursday’s match was scoreless at the half.
“We looked okay in the first half,” Hay said.
The sudden Central barrage began at 27:05 off a free kick from the left side. At 26:55, the Tigers got a goal off a ball deflected by the keeper to an unmarked Central forward. The third goal came at 23:32 off another free kick.
Bryant got on the board with 13:35 left when Alex Rowlan fed Ryan Watson. The Hornets went into scramble mode but could not find the range again.
Bryant won the junior varsity contest 3-0. Caleb Lambert gave the Hornets a 1-0 lead about midway through the first half. In the second half, Houston Clifton and Cory Ballew added goals. Evan Caddy had the assist on the Clifton point.
“The JV guys played well,” Hay said. “It was a good effort to end on before the break.”
