SPRINGDALE -- Bentonville did to Springdale High what the Bulldogs had been doing to others.

Bruno Mariscotti scored less than five minutes into the game and the goal held up for a 1-0 victory for Bentonville on Friday at Jarrell Williams Bulldog Stadium. Goalie Davis Hogue turned away a handful of scoring opportunities against Springdale (8-2, 3-1), which entered the game with three consecutive shutouts in conference play.

"When two good teams get together (scoring) chances are going to be at a premium," Bentonville coach Mike Devaney said. "We emphasized to the guys that when we get chances, we have to take them, because there were probably going to be very few of them."

Bentonville led 1-0 in a fast-paced first half in which both teams had scoring chances.

Mariscotti put the Tigers ahead with 36 minutes, 40 seconds left in the first half. Springdale had two excellent scoring opportunities but the Bulldogs were turned away each time. Hogue made a save in front of the net against Salvador Gonzalez, who dropped to his knees in frustration after his hard kick was denied.

The Bulldogs were frustrated a second time later in the first half when a Bentonville defender blocked an attempt by Manuel Soto in front of the net.

"We always tell our goalkeepers to make one or two saves that can keep us in the game, and certainly he did that," Devaney said. "He kept us in it with a couple of really, really important saves."

Bentonville threatened to increase its lead in the first half when Jose Castro used some deft footwork to maneuver into scoring position, but his kick from about 12 feet sailed over the Springdale net.