Southside boys soccer coach Mahmoud Imeidan knows his team is far better than their 8-7 overall record.

For the Mavericks, it’s about finishing.


Friday, they scored two quick goals with 25 minutes left to play and then held on for a 3-2 win over Little Rock Central.

Not the prettiest win, not the worst, either.

But they’ll take it.

“We came out, and the first 20 minutes we were the better team,” Imeidan said. “And then we went back to some old habits and were just dribbling the ball. I told them at halftime, ‘Guys, we have to play the second half the way we did the first 20 minutes.’

“If we do that the goals will come.”

Southside (8-7, 3-3) took a 1-0 lead at the 17:32 mark of the first half on Derek Gutierrez’ 15th goal of the season.

But Central tied it 2 1/2 minutes later on the first of two goals by the Tigers’ Jose Hernandez.


Southside goalie Solomon Amador deflected Hayden Gilbert’s corner shot with 9:21 left, but Hernandez scored again with 7:59 left to put the Tigers ahead at the half.

The Mavericks tied the game on Benji Flores’ goal with 26:13 left, and Chris Orellana’s nice dish to Dustin Lopez proved to be the game-winner with 25:26 left to play.

“To be honest, it was about coach’s encouragement at halftime,” Lopez said. “We came back and put it in the net.”

Lopez said the Mavericks were too busy worrying about Central scoring in the first half.

“That’s not good,” he said. “In the second half, we relaxed and we scored.”

“The goals will come,” Imeidan said. “We got one and then we got another one really quick. We just have to learn how to not give games away at the end. We should have had one more, but we’ll take the win and get read for Tuesday night.”

The Mavericks and the crosstown rival Northside Grizzlies meet for the first time this season. Northside (11-2, 5-1) defeated Cabot on Friday, 2-1.


Southside 4, Central 3

GIRLS — Rachel Smith’s third and final goal with 13:58 left to play helped Southside squeeze past Little Rock Central on Friday, 4-3.

Southside (10-3, 4-2) led 2-0 at the half thanks to goals from Smith and Landrie Waganer.

But Central tied the match with two goals, respectively, at the 32:48 and 27:53 mark of the second half.

Smith’s second goal made it 3-2 with 21:14 left, but Central, again, tied the game with 19:57 left.

Southside had numerous scoring chances in the final 20 minutes, but Smith finally slipped one home for the game-winner.

Sophomore Melanie Rice had a key save with 42 seconds left on a free kick to preserve the victory.
