Garcia nets brace as Lady Jacks drop first conference match of the season to Stuttgart

WARREN, Ark. – Warren’s Azul Garcia notched two goals in the Lady Jacks’ 4A East conference opening match vs. Stuttgart Thursday evening, March 16, 2022 at home, with the orange and black suffering a defeat to the Lady Ricebirds by the score of 6-2.

The weather created just enough of a window to get the game underway Thursday, but throughout the majority of the 80 minutes, rain drizzled on the field at Jim Hurley, Jr. Stadium.

Top photo: Lady Jack Azul Garcia scores in the 22nd minute of Thursday’s match between Warren and Stuttgart. Photo by Saline River Chronicle.

By Rob Reep

Saline River Chronicle

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Warren nearly took an early first-half lead as Garcia received the ball near the edge of the 18-yard box. She put a low shot on goal, but the keeper handled it to keep the score at 0-0 through the opening five minutes. Garcia again came close in the 8th minute. This time she was played through on goal but denied by the post.

The Lady Ricebirds had a couple of chances in the 14th and 17th minutes from a cross and a corner. However, the delta birds were unable to put a player on the end of either chance.

Garcia continued to find space on the other end for Warren. Her persistence paid off in the 22nd minute when she scored a fabulous goal to put the Jacks up 1-0. Senior Tessa Andrus hit Garcia in stride with a through ball and Garcia did the rest, punching a shot across the face of the keeper and into the back of the net.

Lady Jack keeper Valeria Navarro came up with two big saves in the 27th minute. Stuttgart cranked into a higher gear and the opportunities began to come. The Ricebirds would force another Navarro save in the 34th minute, but no denial came in the 35th. Stuttgart leveled the score at 1-1.

The Ricebirds hit again in rapid succession, netting their second goal of the night just one minute later after getting behind Warren’s defense and skipping past Navarro. They led 2-1 at the half.

Angie Cortes prepares to take a corner kick during the second half of Thursday’s match between Warren and Stuttgart. Photo by Saline River Chronicle.

Stuttgart put the game to bed in the 51st and 55th minutes with two more goals. The game was halted for about 30 minutes due to a lightning delay, but the result was fairly conclusive at that point. Stuttgart added a further three goals before the 80th minute.

Warren did pull one back very late courtesy of Garcia. She launched a 40-yard free kick into the penalty box which was misjudged by the Stuttgart keeper. The ball bounced over her and in for Garcia’s second goal of the match.

Garcia’s two goals and superb forward play earned her a second Que Lindo Michoacan Lady of the Match award of the season.

The Lady Jacks fall to 1-3 overall on the season and 0-1 in the 4A East Conference. They are off a week for spring break, but will be in action again Tuesday, March 28 when they play host to Star City. Kickoff is set for 5:00 p.m.