Bentonville (21-3) is heading back to the 7A state girls soccer championship match.

Senior Lauren Hargus scored on a penalty kick in the 44th minute and that was enough to get past Springdale Har-Ber for a 1-0 victory.

"It is always special getting to the state tournament," Bentonville Coach Kristina Henry said. "It never feels like, 'Here we go again.' This group has worked hard. This was our goal to get there again."

Bentonville got its lone goal of the game against Har-Ber junior keeper Mekenna Taylor after drawing a penalty kick on a hand ball in the box was called.

Har-Ber (15-7) was able to get two shots on goal in the second half that forced a pair of saves from Bentonville junior keeper Maddee East.

The Lady Wildcats had a good opportunity to score with about seven minutes left in the game on senior Vanessa Reynoso's shot on goal, but it missed.

"We knew in the second half we needed to come with more pace," Henry said. "We were a little shy in the first half to take them on. It took a little time. But we got there in the end."

Taylor played a big part of keeping Bentonville from adding to its lead in the second half. She finished with three saves and came out of the box early to stop other scoring opportunities.

"She is always in position and on top of that is very athletic," Har-Ber Coach Fabrizio Campagnola said. "She helps us with ball control as well clearing it out for us. She is a complete keeper and had a great state tournament."

The Lady Tigers had another great chance to score, but Taylor made the stop on senior Lauren Holly's shot on goal with 15 minutes left in the game.
