Grace Simpson is headed to Oklahoma Christian to play college soccer, but the former Siloam Springs standout as one more duty to round out her high school career.
Simpson, a three-time state champion for the Lady Panthers, is scheduled to play for the East All-Stars on Wednesday in Conway in the annual Arkansas High School Coaches Association All-Star Girls Soccer Game.
"I didn't think this would happen and it's been something I've wanted to do for the last couple of years," Simpson said. "I'm just really blessed to get to play in this game."
Simpson scored six goals and tallied four assists in her final season at Siloam Springs that saw the Lady Panthers win their third straight state title.
Simpson actually got to play in four state championship games in her career, but the Lady Panthers were defeated by Searcy 3-1 in the finals in her freshman year in 2013.
"Just having the state championship and being able to experience that feeling, even losing, it was such a confidence builder," Simpson said, "and it helped shape the rest of our years."
Simpson was an all-state player as a sophomore for the Lady Panthers in 2014 and scored the game-winning goal in penalty kicks against Mountain Home as the Lady Panthers won their first state championship.
Simpson contributed to the the Lady Panthers' state championship in 2015 and played a big role in the championship in 2016.
Overall, Siloam Springs went 55-31-1 in Simpson's four years and 12-1 in postseason play, including 9-0 in state tournaments and 3-1 in finals.
"I thought it was pretty amazing how we never had to experience losing in the state tournament," Simpson said. "We've had a great run of things. It's been a great four years. I'm glad to go out with a bang."
Simpson was a team captain for the Lady Panthers. Midway through the year, after Siloam Springs had lost five of seven games, the Lady Panthers held a team meeting at her house to try and sort everything out. The Lady Panthers wound up winning their last three games, including a 1-0 victory over Russellville in the 6A state finals.
"We just decided that no matter what we were going to play for our team and not worry about all the drama outside of it," Simpson said. "We just wanted to get together and start playing for each other, and I think we had separated from each other in that and started fighting and it just helped to have a community where you're talking about things that are going wrong and working on how to build each other up. It obviously worked because we shaped up and went crazy at state and won the championship."
The East Girls will be coached by Beth Pond of Beebe and assisted by coaches Kerry Castillo of Cabot, Joseph Maxwell of Heber Springs and Kelly Young of Russellville.
Umana unable to play
Aldair Umana, a four-year starter for the Siloam Springs boys team was selected to play in the AHSCA All-Star Boys Soccer game, but will be unable to play because he is playing in a tournament with his club team.
Umana was second on the team with 16 goals scored and led the Panthers with 12 assists.
Siloam Springs went 16-6 overall and won its third state championship with a 2-0 victory over Russellville in the state finals. It was Siloam Springs' first state championship since the 2012 season.
Sports on 06/22/2016