Soccer teams at top again

There's nothing like a great start to the season, and that's been the case for both the Siloam Springs boys and girls soccer teams in 2017.

Heading into Tuesday's state finals rematches against Russellville, the Panthers and Lady Panthers were a combined 21-5, and an argument could be made that their records could be even better with a break here or there.

The Panthers, for instance, stood 11-3 after losing to Fort Gibson, Okla., 3-2 on Saturday in the finals of the Panther Classic.

Their other two losses came 3-1 to a quality Springdale team on March 2 in the second game of the season and a penalty kicks loss to Clarksville in the River Valley Cup on March 11, in which several key players were missing.

In my mind, those three losses are all games the Panthers had a chance to win.

The girls, meanwhile, were 11-2 and lost 3-0 to Owasso, Okla., on March 3 in their third game of the season and a PKs loss to Mount St. Mary on March 10 in the River Valley Cup.

Regardless of the results Tuesday night against Russellville, the Panthers and Lady Panthers are right up there among the best soccer teams in Class 6A once again.

I've gotten to know Chris Pratt, the head boys and girls soccer coach at Harrison, over the years and he told me after Siloam Springs won at Harrison -- 3-2 in girls and 6-1 in boys -- on March 28 that both the Panthers and Lady Panthers are quality teams.

"I won't be surprised if they win it again," Pratt said.

After Tuesday's games against Russellville, the Panthers have six regular season games remaining before the 6A-West Conference Tournament begins on April 29. The Lady Panthers have eight games left, as they'll play a pair of games in place of a second tournament.

The 6A-West Conference tournament runs through May 6. Barring a major upset somewhere, I would expect both teams to play at least two to three home games in the 6A-West Conference Tournament.

Then the Class 6A State Tournament will be here on May 11-13.

I'm really excited about this.

It's been fun over the years traveling to different areas of the state for soccer. We've been to Harrison, Little Rock, Searcy, Russellville, back to Searcy and El Dorado in previous years, and visiting those towns has been a great experience.

Now Siloam Springs will get a chance to show off to visitors from all across Arkansas.

Just like the basketball program did with the Class 6A state basketball tournament in March 2015, the soccer program is going to do a tremendous job in May hosting the state tournament.

-- Graham Thomas is the managing editor for the Herald-Leader. He can be reached at [email protected]. The opinions expressed are those of the author.

Sports on 04/05/2017