Sports: Jacks Finish State Soccer 4A Runner-up(Pics and Video)

The 2017 4A State Runner-Up Warren Lumberjack Soccer Club

Appearing in the program’s first state championship soccer match, the Warren Lumberjacks fell to the Dardanelle Sand Lizards by the score of 6-1 Saturday, May 20 in Fayetteville, finishing as Runner-Up in Arkansas’s 2017 4A State Soccer Tournament.

Fans for Warren packed the Lumberjack section at the Razorback Soccer Field as the Lumberjacks and Sand Lizards warmed up under cloudy and misty skies. Coach Rusty Densmore’s Jacks entered the game with a 20-2-1 record. Dardanelle came in at 19-3-2.

A fast pace was set early in the first half, with both teams battling for prolonged possession. The first 20 minutes saw a few chances go and come for Dardanelle and Warren. Midway through the first half, Warren almost took the lead. Midfielder Sergio Yepes hammered a deep free kick from nearly 50 yards out on goal, but the Dardanelle keeper was on hand to keep it out. However, with 17:34 remaining in the first half, Dardanelle’s midfielder David Rodriguez opened up the scoring, floating a shot off the crossbar and into the goal, just beyond the reach of Warren’s keeper, Hector Torres. Dardanelle led 1-0.

A few minutes later Warren’s Santiago Garcia had another effort just kept out by Dardanelle’s goalkeeper Jacinto Diaz.

Just under ten minutes later, with 9:52 remaining in the half, Rodriguez added to the Sand Lizards’ lead on a free kick to make it 2-0 Dardanelle.

Warren's Saloman Garay scores during Saturday's 4A State Soccer Championship.

With their backs against the ropes, the Lumberjacks responded. Some beautiful technical passing play in the middle and final third of the pitch looked as if it might end with an uneventful header towards the Dardanelle goalie. A slight mistake was made at the back though by Diaz of Dardanelle, who mishandled the header from Warren’s striker Javier Tinoco. As the ball bounced beyond Diaz’s grasp, Warren’s Saloman Garay swooped in and dispatched the ball into the open net. Warren brought it back to 2-1 Dardanelle just before the halftime break.

Saloman Garay is met by teammates to celebrate his goal for the Lumberjacks.

Just before the halftime whistle, the Jacks picked up a couple of injuries, as Santiago Garcia and Gadiel Garay both had to come off with slight knocks. They would return.

What seemed like a fast first half pace only increased in intensity in the second, and Dardanelle came out with a fire lit. Seven minutes into the second half, Dardanelle’s Jastin Hernandez knocked home a bobbled shot on Warren’s goal to give the Sand Lizards a 3-1 lead. They would add a fourth just three minutes later via a deep lobbed through ball slotted in by Luis Villegas.

Warren striker Javier Tinoco makes a clean tackle.

Ten minutes into the second half Yepes tried to bring Warren back within two, but his deep bouncing shot was hauled in by Diaz of Dardanelle. Warren began to find possession difficult.

Jose Perez of Dardanelle put the Sand Lizards up 5-1 after he found a corner kick alluding Warren’s defensive traffic and guided it between the legs of a couple of Lumberjack defenders, across the face of Warren’s keeper and into the netting on the far post with 27:40 left in the second half.

Warren’s Yepes picked up a yellow card with under 8 minutes remaining on a descent looking sliding tackle.

At the 2:20 mark, as time winded down, Dardanelle got its final goal from Jose Samaniengo after a bit of a scramble at the back for Warren’s defense came up unsuccessful in gaining possession. Samaniengo blooped the ball into the back of the net with Warren’s keeper out of goal attempting to handle the danger.

Dardanelle won the 4A State Championship by the score of 6-1. Warren finished as 4A State Tournament Runner-Up. Local Warren State Farm Agent Joey Cathey handed out both the runner-up and state champion trophies during the post-game ceremonies.

Overall, it was a terrific season for what is still a very young soccer program at Warren High School. “You made history guys,” said Coach Rusty Densmore after the game to the squad. “There are a lot of teams that wish they could have been in your position today,” he continued.

Santiago Garcia storms down the left wing, leaving behind a trail of mist from the wet grass.

Several Jacks had stand-out performances, even with the tough scoreline, which was a bit misleading as it was just 2-1 Dardanelle at the half. Santiago Garcia put in a fine display of work for the Jacks down the left wing. He caused a number of threatening situations for the Sand Lizards. Victor Xcharicata also had a great match. He brought a sense of urgency and perseverance that really never

Victor Xcharicata was a stand-out player in Warren's
4A State Title appearance.

gave out the entire ballgame. Javier Tinoco also put in a heavy workload Saturday afternoon for Warren. His job was made just a little more difficult without his co-forward Daniel Mondragon able to play on the afternoon due to his red card suspension handed down after a brief exchange with the keeper for Episcopal Collegiate in the semifinal round. Joshua Merales also had a good afternoon for the Jacks in both a defensive and midfield role. He came close a couple of times late to finding a weakness in the Dardanelle defense.

This Warren Lumberjack Soccer Club can hold its head high. They are the first Warren soccer team to make a state championship appearance, and that’s something that can never be taken away. They also have a terrific returning squad to look forward to, as there are only three departing seniors on the roster, Gadiel Garay, Victor Xcharicata, and Sergio Yepes. Those three players will be tough to replace, but it’s nice to know that both of our main goal scorers, Javier Tinoco and Daniel Mondragon are returning, and Tinoco will just be a junior next season.

salineriverchronicle.com would like to congratulate the Warren Lumberjacks on a marvelous season! We are proud of you, and your community is proud of you.

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