“We played our best game of the year, and I think it showed,” said junior Ben O’Brien.

The men’s soccer team (3-7-1) competed at Jarrell Williams Bulldog stadium against the cross-town rivals, Springdale. The Bulldogs, who are coming off a state championship victory, were highly favored in this matchup.

“Most people thought we would lose 5-0,” said junior Miguel Gomez.

This was not the case. Gomez would come out, play through a injury and score against the Bulldogs off an assist that deflected off a defender from senior Dino Andrade. Junior Cole Brothers was the other Wildcat who scored that night.

“I think I played pretty good considering  both my kness were hurt and my groin,” said Gomez.

The Wildcats would finish the game on a 2-2 draw.

“Overall I think we did good, we played aggressive, and it was a big game against Springdale so we always want to win,” said senior Sergio Herrera who assisted Brothers’ final goal against the Bulldogs.

The week before, the Wildcats prepared accordingly and watched film on the Bulldogs. The men had a game plan going in, which was executed to the best of their ability.

“We executed pretty well, but in the second half we should have put more pressure on them,” said O’Brien.

The next game will be against yet another rival, the Bentonville Tigers. That game will mark the beginning of the seven game conference play.

“We played some of the best teams in the state, and we’ve done well aginst them,” said O’Brien. “I think we’ll really turn it on for conference and come out well.”