In a year full of amazing accomplishments, winning a district title doesn’t seem that special. But we’ll make an exception when your program didn’t even exist two years ago.
The Republic girls soccer program, led by coach Mike Hines, made history by winning a district championship in only its second season of existence. And they did it the hard way, after a questionable seeding vote handed them the #2 seed, even though they had previously beaten every team in the district.
The Lady Tigers toppled the district host, Carl Junction, in the tournament semifinals. Amanda Snider played what Hines called “the game of her career” to seal the 2-1 win, helped by goals from Sierra Casagrand and Sara Marcotte.
In the finals, Republic got its only goal from Marcotte to beat top-seeded Rogersville 1-0.
The playoff run ended in the sectionals at Warrensburg, but not before the Lady Tigers had written their chapter in the Republic history books. For their effort, you voted them the #3 story of the year.
