FAYETTEVILLE In a word, perfection.
That's what the Conway Wampus Cats achieved this soccer season, as they blanked Fort Smith Southside 1-0 Friday night at Lady'Back Field for the Class 7A state championship. The 21 wins was a school record, but it was also the icing on the cake the Cats' seniors have been feasting on throughout their high school careers.
"It's the best feeling in the world," said senior Corey Free, who was named the match's Most Valuable Player. "This is my third (shot at a state title). To finally get it is a dream come true."
The "dream" season was filled with accomplishments for the Conway soccer program. Goal keeper Stephen Maxwell allowed just four goals all season, as he consistently shut down the opposition.
That was certainly the case Friday.
The Rebels attacked the net hard in the first 20 minutes. In the 17th, Maxwell had to recover from a shot that hit the crossbar and was eventually lined hard to the Cat keeper.
But such an opportunity wasn't going to go Southside's way. Not during the perfect season at least.
"I've got great teammates," Free said. "We've got a great keeper, great players. We couldn't have done this without all of us working together."
As good as the season was, though, that's just part of the story.
"The state championship is really what it's all about," Conway coach Robert Irons said. "In an undefeated season, very rarely do you beat every team because you are just so much more dominant.
"Obviously we're proud of this accomplishment, but we're more excited about the state championship."
That's especially true for those in their final season.
"This has to be the best way to finish things off," senior Cody Rogoff said. "This is one of the best seasons, knowing you got a state championship in your last year and that we're ranked nationally."
The rise to the top and to perfection wasn't necessarily an easy chore. In fact, it required overcoming some fierce challenges.
"Every year we try to play top competition," Irons said. "That's how we prepare for games like this. It takes a lot of work.
"Playing top competition day in and day out is demanding."
In Irons' eyes, the Rebels posed no less of a challenge.
"I have great respect for the Southside coaches," Irons said. "I thought their kids played an excellent game. It's hard to lose a 1-0 game. They showed great class and character."
Conway has now won two state titles in four tries. A repeat is no doubt a possibility as many players will be returning next season. But Irons isn't banking on that being a given.
"It's never automatic," the CHS coach said. "Obviously, we're glad to have returning players, and we're going to miss the player we're losing.
"But to get back to this game next year, we're going to have to have the same kind of commitment and work we had these 21 games. We won these 21 games because we played with the same kind of effort we had (Friday)."
For the time being, the Cats will celebrate in their current feat. Other titles may come, but an unbeaten season ending with a championship trophy in hand is just another step made in a record-breaking season.
"It's got to be a perfect season," Rogoff said. "It couldn't have been better."
