East girls defeat West

Maddie Rice said she caught a bit of a break when she did not have to play the first 20 minutes of the girls Arkansas High School Coaches Association All-Star soccer game Wednesday.

Rice, a 5-4 forward from Cabot, scored with 2:47 left in the first half to break a 1-1 tie.

With temperatures on the purple-and-gray turf of Estes Stadium at the University of Central Arkansas reaching 120 degrees for the 5 p.m. start, Rice and her teammates helped the East capture the victory 3-1.

"On that turf, as soon as the game started, your feet were burning," Rice said. "I didn't go in until the second 20 minutes, so I got a little break. But once I got in and played about 10 minutes, my feet were hurting. I'm not used to playing in the heat of the day."

The game-time temperature was 98 degrees. It was 93 degrees when the game finished. Game officials allowed two heat breaks during the first half and one in the final half.

"Everything was hot," said Valley View's Julie Chambers, who had one assist and was selected as the game's MVP. "It wasn't a great start, but I guess we adjusted to it."

Grace Simpson, a three-time state champion for the Siloam Springs Lady Panthers, was a participant in the game for the East All-Stars.

Both teams scored in the game's first five minutes. Pulaski Academy's Anna Grace Lewis, off an assist from Chambers, headed in the game's first goal less than three minutes into the contest. The West responded two minutes later when Katie Jones of Harrison kicked in a tying goal thanks to an assist from Bentonville's Melanie Matkins.

Rice broke the tie as the first half was nearing a close, hitting a shot from the 18-yard marker. Monticello's Laura Smith provided the assist.

"We actually got a little breakaway at midfield," Rice said of her goal. "I got a pass [from Smith] and I gave her a quick return. I expected her to go for it, but she gave it back to me. I did a quick little move to get around the defender, and I managed to hit the lower post."

The only goal of the second half came with 35 minutes remaining when Bryant's Anna Lowery, off an assist from Mary Rose Siebenmorgan of Conway St. Joseph, kicked in the insurance goal.

The West outshot the East 17-13. Conway's Hailey Estes, who has signed a basketball scholarship with Henderson State, made six saves as the East's goalkeeper.

Kendall Selig of Bryant was named the most outstanding player for the East. Maisy Louree of Rogers was selected as the most outstanding player of the West.