NORTHSIDE FRESHMAN STUNS SOUTHSIDE

Southside goalie Salomon Amador played the game of his life Friday. For two hours, he fended off one attack after another in a rivalry grudge match with the Northside Grizzlies. There were yellow cards. Three, to be exact. Late in the match, there was a red card. And, just when it appeared the Grizzlies were about to be shut out on Senior Night, on their home turf, no less, Northside freshman midfielder Diego Hernandez found the ball, and some space, as the clock was spinning toward triple zeros. Hernandez launched his game-winner with 0:01.4 on the clock. “We created many, many chances, we just weren’t smart (trying) to score a goal,” Northside coach Mauricio Maciel said. “I gotta give credit to Diego for not giving up. He’s been a great asset to us, and he continues to give us that kind of goal.” Half an hour later, after the Grizzlies had finished off their incredible comeback with a 4-3 shootout win, Maverick players lay collapsing on the turf at Mayo-Thompson Stadium. There were tears, heartache. They were stunned. First-year coach Southside coach Jorge Picaso Garcia praised his team for its gritty effort. Related More high school soccer “I’m really proud of my guys,” he said. “The amount of effort they put into this game, knowing it was going to be twice as hard on Senior Night, and knowing they lost to them 6-0 at our place, I couldn’t be any more pleased. “Obviously, that last-second goal ... that’s rare.” Amador, too, was caught up in the emotion of a bitter loss, fighting back tears while trying to explain Northside’s win. Amador was flawless for 79 minutes and 58 seconds. “I’m tired, having to come out and do my job,” Amador said. “But I had the defense supporting me. It was just unlucky.” Southside standout Alex Mendoza put the Mavericks ahead at the 20:19 mark of the first half. The Mavericks had very few chances the rest of the way. But the defense was up to the task, deflecting one Northside scoring bid after another away. “We’ve got more games to come,” Garcia said. “We played one of the best teams in the state, and beat them except for one play. I told the guys to hold their heads up.”

NORTHSIDE FRESHMAN STUNS SOUTHSIDE

KEVIN TAYLOR

Times Record | 5/5/2018

PHOTO CREDIT: Fort Smith Northside High School Athletics