SBLive Arkansas Top 25 girls soccer rankings (May 8)

By George Mitchell 

Rogers and Rogers Heritage moved up, and Episcopal debuted on the list. Also moving up was Harding Academy, and Class 5A Harrison landed in the Top 10. 

The teams begin the state tournament on Thursday, and the updated brackets can be found at https://scorebooklive.com/arkansas/girls-soccer/brackets.

1. Bentonville (14-2-2) 

The Tigers defeated Fayetteville to win the Class 6A-West title. It may be a preview of the Class 6A state title game. Bentonville faces the winner of the Bryant-Bentonville West game on Friday. 

2. Fayetteville (14-1-2)

The Bulldogs took care of Fort Smith Southside last week but came up short against Bentonville in the 2-0 loss. Fayetteville has the first-round bye for the tournament this week and will face the winner of the Conway-Northside game.

3. Rogers (11-3-2)

The Mounties grabbed the No. 3 seed for the state tournament and battles North Little Rock in the first round.

4. Bentonville West (6-7-4)

The Wolverines defeated Har-Ber 5-0 to end the regular season and picked up the No. 5 seed for the state tournament. Bentonville West takes on Bryant to start the tournament.

5. Rogers Heritage (8-4)

Heritage dropped its finale to Rogers 2-1. The War Eagles advance to post-season play and take on Jonesboro on Thursday morning.

6. Fort Smith Northside (8-5-2)

The Lady Bears finished sixth in the 6A-West after its tie with Springdale early last week. Northside faces No. 17 Conway to start the state tournament on their home field, Mayo-Thompson Stadium. All the girls’ games will be played at Northside while Southside hosts the boys’ tournament.

7. Harding Academy (15-0)

The Wildcats went 3-0 in its final week as a good test for the Class 4A playoffs that begin on Thursday. The squad has given up five goals this season and faces Mena (5-9) in the first round.

8. Harrison (17-4-1)

The Goblins clinched the 5A-West title from Siloam Springs and faces Paragould (8-6) in the first round of the state tournament. Harrison has won seven consecutive games.

9. Siloam Springs (15-4-2)

The Panthers dropped the final game of the regular season 2-1 to Harrison in the game that decided the 5A-West title. Siloam Springs face Greene County Tech (10-4) in the tournament's first round.

10. Pulaski Academy (17-1)

The Bruins took care of business against LR Christian and finished the regular season with a five-game winning string. Pulaski Academy takes on Sheridan in the first game of the Class 5A state tournament.

11. LR Christian Academy (15-3)

The Warriors won 10 of their past 11 games and invoked the sportsmanship rule in nine. LR Christian’s two losses this season were to Pulaski Academy, which the team won’t see again until the state finals. The Warriors begin the tournament against Benton.

12. Mount St. Mary (14-3-3)

The Belles have won seven of its last 10 games and tied the other three to clinch the 6A-Central title. Mount St. Mary will face Sheridan in the first round of the Class 5A tournament.

13. Russellville (15-3-2)

The Cyclones snapped a two-game skid by defeating Van Buren in the regular-season finale. Russellville faces either Valley View or Searcy in the first round. Searcy has one game remaining on Monday. If the Lions win, a coin flip will determine the tournament's No. 1 and 2 seeds from the 5A-East.

14. El Dorado (16-1)

The Wildcats carry a 13-game win string into the state tournament when it faces Bryant in the first round of the Class 5A state tournament. El Dorado was tested by Conway and one game against Lakeside. The team has scored three or more goals in the other 15 games.

15. LR Central (14-3-2)

The Tigers snapped a six-game winning string with a 3-2 loss to No. 12 Mount St. Mary. Central picked up the No. 2 seed for the Class 6A state tournament and will take on the winner of the Rogers-North Little Rock.

16. Joe T.  Robinson (13-4)

The Senators have won four consecutive games with 12 shutouts this season. They face Hope in the first round of the Class 4A playoffs.

17. Conway (10-3-6)

The Wampus Cats will be looking to rebuild their momentum after back-to-back losses and a tie with Bryant.

18. Brookland (15-3-1)

The Bearcats finished with the No. 3 seed for the Class 4A state tournament. Brookland won six of its last eight games.

19. Bauxite (10-2-1)

The Miners defeated Hope 2-0 and carry a two-game win string into Thursday’s contest against No. 18 Brookland.

20. Hot Springs Lakeside (14-4)

After wrapping up 5A-South Conference play and the No. 2 seed for the state tournament two weeks ago, the Rams split non-conference games with Hamburg and Episcopal.

21. Benton (9-5)

The Panthers finished the season with a split against Sheridan. BHS takes on No. 15 Central in the first round of the tournament.

22. Life Way Christian (12-1-1)

Life Way has won eight consecutive games and has the No. 1 spot for the Class 3A state tournament. The squad will face Baptist Prep or Maumelle Charter in the first round.

23. Green Forest (8-3-1)

The Tigers finished runner-up in the 3A-West and will have the No. 2 seed for the state tournament.

24. Riverview (7-0-1)

The Pirates tied Cave City 1-1 in the season finale. The teams share the 3A-North title, but the Pirates finished with the No. 1 seed for the state tournament. Riverview faces Harmony Grove (0-7) in the first round. The 3A South had just four teams playing this season.

25. Episcopal (13-1)

The Wildcats finished the 3A East undefeated for the league title and the top seed for the tournament.

Outside looking in: Cave City, Searcy, and Greenwood.