2/7/23
By Kevin Taylor
Alma Schools
Alma will graduate a couple of four-year soccer players this spring. Coach Cory Sturdivant is hoping to send Caleb Ferguson and Demetrio Cerda out with a bang.
The Airedales open the 2023 soccer season on Feb. 23 with a benefit match against Dardanelle. The season starts in earnest on Feb. 27 against Heavener.
The Airedales return six starters this season, including four with three or more years of experience.
“It will be very important for this group to have some success at the beginning of the season,” Sturdivant said. “We start conference play 12 days after the first nonconference game, and we have several games during that stretch.”
Along with Ferguson and Cerda, the Airedales return three-year lettermen, Carlos Gonzalez and Jose Flores, along with Seth Canales and Julian Davila.
“Demetrio is our holding mid and we plan to run plays through him like a point guard would bring the ball down in basketball,” Sturdivant said. “He’s our hardest worker all over the field and makes passes and recovery runs look easy.”
Ferguson and Flores will help anchor the Airedales’ defense, Sturdivant said. Mason Bray and Matthew McCarver will contribute as well.
“Jose will split time all over the field at mid and defense, so Caleb is really our only returning (player) in that back row now, but I’m really excited about what these four bring to our defense,” Sturdivant said. “Mason and Matt are deceivingly quick and make great passes and decisions with the ball.”
Sturdivant said Gonzalez will be a tough attacking midfielder, Sturdivant said. “He’s stronger, more physical, and way more confident in shooting this season,” the coach said. “He’ll be a major factor in our offense.”
Davila returns at goalie.
“Overall, these are just a few pieces of our team,” Sturdivant said. “There are quality subs at each position for the first time. Overall, I’d say this team is the most experienced and definitely the most attacking-minded team I’ve had since we started soccer at Alma.”
Sturdivant said freshman Jay Patel will get some looks at midfield this season. Austin Sorrells and newcomer Jaden Mahar will give the Airedales some speed and toughness as well.
The Airedales, who finished 3-12-2 (1-11-2) last season, have some tough nonconference games slated, including a battle with defending 4A state champion Farmington.
The Airedales’ first official road game is at Sylvan Hills, another playoff-caliber team from a year ago.
“The gauntlet of games will prepare us for the high level of play we can expect in the 5A-West,” Sturdivant said. “Early success going into conference play with Harrison, Siloam (Springs), and Russellville before spring break will help us compete in those games.”
Sturdivant doesn’t expect much drop-off in overall talent this season. He also believes the league will be more competitive.
“The addition of Harrison to our conference makes it even stronger,” he said. “The boys are known for tough, gritty play, and they are led by one of the best coaches in the state (Chris Pratt).”
Craig Moses, whom Sturdivant coached against when he was at Hot Springs, takes over the Siloam Springs program.
“We have had several head-to-head battles between our teams when he was at Lakeside,” Sturdivant said. “I expect his guys to be disciplined and to be at the top right there with Russellville.”
The Cyclones are the defending 5A state champs. “Right now I’d say they are the front-runner in 5A overall,” Sturdivant said.
Russellville defeated Van Buren for the 2022 crown in a rematch of the ‘21 finals.
“Van Buren has played (and won) the state championship recently (2021),” Sturdivant said. “I expect that to be an extremely tough team and rivalry game for our boys.”
Sturdivant expects Greenwood, Greenbrier, and Mountain Home to be tough as well.
“Essentially, there are no games in this conference that you can mark down as a win by just looking at the schedule,” Sturdivant said. “It’s tough, it’s gritty, and it’s extremely competitive. We hope to be in that mix.”