(Photo by Randy Hunt of R & R Photography)
Former Lady Zizzer Soccer Standout Julie Long, will lead her Bryant (AR) Lady Hornets into the Class 7A State Soccer Tournament on Friday. Long (Pictured coaching Nettleton High School at the 2009 Lady Zizzer Classic) is in her first season as the Head Girls Soccer Coach at Bryant High School.
The Lady Hornets seem to be peaking at the right time, having won two games in a row and 8 of their last 9. Bryant, 15-7, 9-5 in Conference play, finished in 3rd place in the Class 7A-Central Conference. The Lady hornets will be making their third consecutive trip to the State Soccer Tournament. Bryant has only won one State Tournament game, that coming in 2006 against El Dorado.
Long and the the Lady Hornets will open State Tournament play on Friday at 7:00pm at Rogers High School against Springdale Har-Ber. The Winner of that game will face Fort Smith Southside at 4:00pm Saturday in the Quartefinals. Good Luck Julie!
Other Arkansas State Tournament teams with ties to West Plains include:
Valley View High School from Jonesboro who the Lady Zizzers were scheduled to face in the Lady Zizzer Classic will take on Berryville and 2:00pm Friday at Episcopal Collegiate High School in the Class 4A State Tournament. Valley View finished 2nd in Class 4A last season. Good Luck to Coach Teat and the Lady Blazers!
The Harrison Lady Goblins and Goblins coached by Chris Pratt. The Lady Goblins are an annual opponent for the Lady Zizzers and we also participated in their tournament this year. The Lady Goblins will kickoff the Class 5A State Tournament at 12:00pm on Friday against Sylvan Hills. The Goblins will follow them at 2:00pm taking on North Pulaski. The 5A State Tournament will be held in Harrison. Good Luck Coach Pratt!
Former Zizzer Soccer Assistant Coach Rusty Winfield, will lead his Hope High Schools teams into the Class 5A State Tournament in Harrison on Friday. The Girls will face Paragould at 12:00pm and the Boys will take on Paragould at 2:00pm. Good Luck Coach Winfield!
Two teams the Lady Zizzers faced at the Harrison Tournament will also be participating in the Class 5A State Tournament in Harrison. Little Rock Christian who defeated West plains in the Championship Game of the Tournament will face Nettleton at 4:00pm on Friday. Siloam Springs who the Lady Zizzers beat 3-0 will take on Little Rock Mills also at 4:00pm on Friday.
