By Tim Cooper
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
CONWAY – Caroline Campbell played a part in all three of her team’s goals Wednesday afternoon, leading the East to a 3-1 victory over the West in the Arkansas High School Coaches Association girls soccer game on a cloudy, windy day at Estes Stadium.
Campbell, a 5-4 standout forward from Bryant, scored two goals and her point-blank blast on the East’s second goal was rebounded and kicked in by Conway’s Shelby Grimes.
El Dorado standout Landrey Harrell played for the West, and was happy to get the opportunity to play.
"It was really rewarding," Harrell said. "It gave me a new perspective on how different teams play across the state."
Harrell said she played the final 20 minutes of the first half at centerback and 30 minutes on left defense in the second half.
Harrell added that she was pleased with her play.
"For playing with the best girls in the state, I was really happy," Harrell said. "I was honored to be able to come."
Campbell said she was the benefactor of excellent passes on both of her goals.
“I had amazing passes from my teammates and I was lucky enough to put them in,” said Campbell, who will play soccer for the University of Arkansas in the fall after scoring 23 goals and adding nine assists for the Lady Hornets during her senior season.
Campbell scored the game’s first and final goals.
The opening goal came at the 30:19 mark in the first half.
Six minutes later, Campbell had a strong kick near the goal that was blocked. That kick, however, bounced directly to Grimes who drilled in the rebound for a 2-0 East lead.
Anna Lewis of Siloam Springs responded at the 23:35 mark with her team’s lone goal and there was no more scoring until Campbell’s second goal with 23:21 remaining in the contest.
Nancy Mendoza of Fort Smith Southside was selected as the East’s Most Outstanding Player. Sienna Nealon of Rogers was named the West’s Most Outstanding player.
SMITH TAKES FIELD FOR WEST
Harrell wasn't the only El Dorado soccer standout to take the field on Wednesday.
In the boys game, Tyler Smith saw plenty of action in the West's 3-2 win over the East All-Stars.
Smith said he played about half of the game, registering one shot on goal.
"It was great to play with the best talent in the state," Smith said. "It was a lot of fun."
Smith, who will be attending Ouachita Baptist in the fall, thought the game was played seamlessly despite having a limited amount of practice time.
"You would think it would be hard to put this together because you have only one day of practice, but it was a lot of fun," Smith said. "Everyone played at a high level. It was a great honor, and it was fun meeting everybody."