Northside keeper Eric Flores had a vision.

Saturday, it came true.

“This past fall, I was at the graduation of the U of A, and I was looking where they played the state tournament for soccer, and I looked at my mother and I told her, ‘Mother, I’m going to be there.’ I promised her I would grant her her wish,” Flores said following Saturday’s dramatic 2-1 win over Springdale.

The Grizzlies’ victory sends them to the 7A finals against Rogers.

Flores had one great save after another, and used a little divine intervention as well.

Already up 1-0 with 26½ minutes left in the second half, Springdale’s Javier Solis had a great look from about 15 yards out when his shot hit the left bar in front of the goal and ricocheted harmlessly away.

“When that happened, I knew it was God’s plan, that we were going to finish and be winners,” Flores said. “You just have to have faith and never quit.”

After playing to a scoreless first half tie, Springdale drew first blood when, with 29:49 left in the second half, Jose Vega slipped one past Flores for a 1-0 lead.

After surviving Solis’ potential score 3½ minutes later, Northside tie the match when Jason Forsey, no doubt in the right spot at the right time, scored in the 66th minute for a 1-1 tie.

Springdale keeper Andres Aldaco mishandled the ball on the wing. Northside’s Christian Chavez spied Forsey, who tapped it home.

“I was just lucky to be in the right spot at the right time,” Forsey said. “The goalie moved out, so I knew the goal was open.”

As soon as Aldaco was unable to pounce on the ball, the Grizzlies made their move.

“He (Aldaco) went out, trying to grab the ball, and Christian (Chavez) ended up with it,” Forsey said. “He just chipped it over to me and I was able to kick it in.”

“That was good positioning, and sometimes great players know exactly where to be,” Northside coach Maurico Maciel said. “They have a sense of where the ball might be going, and he (Forsey) was there waiting for it.”


Springdale’s Jesus Barroso missed a shot with 17:38, and then it was Northside’s turn to miss a close one.

The Grizzlies’ Oscar Ramirez misfired with 8:39 left, keeping the game tied.

But 4½ minutes later, sophomore Ricky Iturriago let one fly from 25 yards out.

His powerful right leg swatted the ball through the net to give Northside its first lead.

“He’s got a leg,” Maciel said. “We’ve been telling him throughout the season, just create the angle. You don’t have to take on the players, just create the shooting angle and it’s going to be there. He’s got a very disciplined leg.”

Northside wasn’t yet out of the woods, though.

Springdale kept attacking, and with 2:36 left Kay Rey missed a header so close he could have reached out and slapped hands with Flores.

And now, Forsey, Chavez, Flores, Iturriago and Jason Mendoza and Co. are in the finals.
