Another shootout, another victory for Rogers High.

Rogers outlasted beat Springdale Har-Ber 4-2 in penalty kicks after battling to a scoreless tie in regulation Wednesday in 6A-West Conference girls soccer action at Whitey Smith Stadium. Rogers improved to 6-0 in a game decided by penalty kicks after regulation ended in a tie.
Rogers (18-2, 12-1) remains in first place in the 6A-West and the Lady Mounties can claim the league championship with a victory tonight against rival Rogers Heritage on Senior Night at Whitey Smith Stadium.

Rogers will then prepare to defend its state championship in the Class 6A state tournament that begins May 9 in Conway.

Rogers had several chances in regulation to score but failed. The game went to a second phase and Har-Ber went ahead 1-0 on penalty kicks when Estrada Giselle scored. Rogers answered with four straight goals while junior goalkeeper Mac Brace stopped two shots by Har-Ber, once when she went to her knees and the other when she used her hands to bat away an attempt.

Rogers then rushed the field after Hattie Hinkle scored to give the Lady Mounties a 4-2 advantage.

"We're really comfortable with this situation if it comes to that," said Rogers coach Aaron Crouch, referring to penalty kicks. "We seem to handle it pretty well."

Rogers controlled the ball for much of the game and had three early chances to score but shot wide on goal each time. Rogers' best chance in the first half came with 1 minute, 48 seconds left before halftime when Jourdan Badely shot accurately with her left foot in front of the goal but her attempt was saved by Kanono Estera.

"We definitely had plenty of chances," Crouch said. "Especially in the first half, we had lots of opportunities to put the game away before we even got to halftime."

Har-Ber (11-9-1, 7-6) appeared to score midway through the first half but the goal was nullified by an offsides call.

Rogers must now turn around and play back-to-back games after Tuesday's match with Har-Ber was postponed by severe weather.

"Recovery is going to be the key," Crouch said. "We're going to start the recovery process, get our muscles healed up and get some of the soreness out, and get ready for (tonight)."

