Monday night was a milestone for Gravette High School, with the first-ever home soccer game in school history as a AAA-sanctioned program. The Lady Lions delivered a statement victory, defeating a strong Clarksville squad 3-0 in a game that showcased their skill, teamwork, and belief in what they are building together.
Meanwhile, the boys’ team took on the challenge of facing a reigning state champion, battling through a hard-fought match that tested their growth and determination. The game marked the beginning of a new era for Lions athletics, but it was about more than just the final scores, it was a celebration of how far Gravette soccer has come in less than two years, and a glimpse into the promising future ahead.
For the coaches of Gravette’s brand-new soccer teams, the path to success is filled with formidable challenges. They must rally participation from a relatively small student body, generate community support, foster a competitive yet encouraging team culture, and navigate the financial burdens of team sports, all while preparing their athletes to face experienced competition. Meeting these challenges head-on requires experienced leaders who know how to build something from the ground up. Gravette has found those leaders in Boys' Coach Erik Smith and Girls' Coach Ryan Quintana, both of whom have a rich history building programs from scratch.
Ryan Quintana arrived in Gravette for the 2023-2024 school year with a strong reputation for building and revitalizing soccer programs. At Greer Lingle Middle School in Rogers, he expanded the team from 18 to 65 players, leading them to an undefeated record in his final three seasons. He also played a key role in transforming Rogers Heritage High School, turning a struggling 7-15 team into a playoff contender with a 13-9 record and a second-round state tournament appearance.
With a track record of developing young talent and building winning teams, Quintana saw an opportunity to create a new legacy in Gravette. He has already invested significant time, energy, and personal resources to expand participation, recruit players, and provide financial support for athletes in need. “I fell in love with Gravette,” Quintana said, “My girlfriend, who teaches at the middle school, would come home every day telling me how great this district is. You know, working in a big district is very different from a smaller district, and I started to think that Gravette must be something special. I knew Northwest Arkansas is growing, and there’s going to be a lot of opportunity out there, so I took the leap.”
To strengthen the program, Quintana has brought in two trusted colleagues to assist in its development. Ally Ribar, a former player of his and an experienced assistant coach from Rogers, has joined as a volunteer this season. Another assistant coach from Rogers is set to come on board full-time next year.
Erik Smith also has extensive experience developing inexperienced players at DeQueen High School in Southwest Arkansas, where he played a key role in establishing the school’s soccer program in 2008. Smith helped turn a group of novice players into a successful boys’ program, producing deep playoff runs from 2009 to 2015. In 2015, Smith took over the girls’ team, which had won just one match the previous season, and led them to the state semifinals.
Smith is passionate about mentorship and player development, emphasizing that success is not just about wins and losses but about growth, teamwork, and character-building. “There are student-athletes that can accomplish great things, but they don’t yet know how to believe in themselves,” Smith explained, “And because they do not believe, they do not do. My inspiration is to help them find that belief in themselves.”
Smith joined Gravette this year, taking over the team that formed last year for the Rogers Rec League under Edward Griffith. Erik is joined by Assistant Coach Bobby Sweere, guiding the boys through the team’s first year in an AAA 9v9 League.
Smith challenges his players to think critically about their performance and to recognize growth, even in the face of defeat. Through that process, Smith guides athletes in building upon every increment of progress and to make it part of their intuition.
Quintana coaches with a sense for developing an ideal and reaching for it at every chance. He emphasizes structure, expectations, and discipline as key factors for the ongoing athletic development of his students.
Despite their different yet complementary styles, both Smith and Quintana coach with an understanding that progress is a process, and each game, win or lose, is a step toward something bigger. "Ryan is fantastic,” said Coach Smith, “This is the first time I’ve ever felt such a connection with the coaches. And I can tell that they actually love this. They love the players."
For Gravette Soccer, the season so far has been a test of adaptability, resilience, and learning under fire, as both the boys’ and girls’ teams have faced a packed schedule stacked with heavy hitters. “The girls are a little banged up,” admitted Coach Quintana before the inaugural home game on Monday, “We played Thursday, Friday, Saturday, had yesterday off, and here we go Monday, Tuesday. It’s a grind. We’re playing very competitive teams, and we were right there in the game.”
Despite the challenges, the Lady Lions have secured multiple wins and demonstrated an upward trajectory. Their most defining moment so far came in the historic 3-0 victory over Clarksville, where they displayed sharp execution and strong teamwork to claim their first home win.
For the boys’ team, the season has been about laying the foundation. Many players entered the season new to soccer, competing for the first time in a AAA-sanctioned schedule. Their early matches were a trial by fire, facing battle-tested teams that had years of development ahead of them. Each game has brought new lessons and improvements to iterate upon.
During a match against a strong Lifeway team, Coach Smith was amazed by an attack sequence executed by the boys, praising it as “the prettiest soccer they had ever played.” In another match, Gravette was down 4-0 at halftime when striker Brody responded with a bicycle kick off a throw-in, a bold display of the growing confidence and technical ability taking shape within the Lions. The boys team has one win on the books and they are working hard for more.
While the scoreboard doesn’t always tell the full story, both teams have embraced the challenge of competing against top-tier competition. Junior Yuritzy Gonzalez, a vocal leader among the Lady Lions, finds joy in keeping spirits high and teammates focused. "I like to push my teammates to be at their full potential," Gonzalez said. "If they’re feeling down or not giving it their all, I always tell them, ‘You got this.’ If you need someone to talk to, I’m here. But stay focused. We’ve got this as a team."
From Gonzalez’s perspective, the Lady Lions have cultivated a team culture built on trust, encouragement, and shared determination. She describes an environment where teammates push each other to be their best while always having one another’s backs. "It feels like a true friendship, like one big family," she said. "If someone’s struggling, we don’t give up on them. We push each other, we support each other. No matter what, we keep going together."
That bond has helped the team weather tough losses and celebrate hard-fought victories, shaping a foundation that extends far beyond the field, and friendships that could last decades after they’ve worn the black and orange uniform for the last time.
The inaugural season of Gravette soccer has been a testament to growth, determination, and the belief in a bigger vision. Guided by their coaches’ dedication, the players are not just competing, they are laying the foundation for the program’s future. The Lady Lions’ milestone victory over Clarksville offers a glimpse of the potential for this program.
As both teams continue to develop, the results will follow. “We’re building something here,” Quintana said. “It takes time, but I believe in these girls, and I believe in this program.” For Smith, the process is just as important as the outcome. “Every game, every challenge, every step forward… It's all part of the journey. These players are laying the foundation for something special, and I’m proud to be a part of it.”
In the coming years, the coaches aim to develop younger teams at the middle school and elementary levels, giving future players years of training and experience before reaching the high school level; an advantage the teams this year didn’t have.
With each match, Gravette soccer is proving that its best days are still ahead. The commitment is unwavering, the foundation is strong, and the Lions are ready to rise. As the program takes root and new players step onto the field, Gravette won’t just compete-it will carve out its place among the best. Years from now, future Lions will take the field knowing they are part of a legacy built by those who dared to dream big.
There’s a full season ahead for Gravette soccer this year, and the support of the community will be vital in helping this program continue to grow. Come out to the games, cheer on these athletes, and witness a new legacy from the very beginning.
