Sierra Casagrand took a pass about 18 yards out at the left of the goal box, and tucked it just inside the right crossbar beyond the fingertips of the keeper, to help the Republic Lady Tigers beat Carl Junction 1-0 Thursday. Casagrand’s goal came with just six minutes remaining in the game, capping an injury-filled game in miserable conditions.
“We have to come out and battle, make fewer mistakes than the other team, and capitalize when we can,” says coach Mike Hines. “I call it a bend-don-t-break work ethic. That’s what you have to do in soccer because it just takes one. You have to make sure you get the one, and stop the other team’s one.”
With Emily Cremeans and Mikayla Jester already riding the bench with injuries, the Lady Tigers also lost Lesleigh Fenton, Hannah Willis, and Jocelyn Carpenter at various times to injury. The game ended with Melissa Maynard, who just started playing soccer at the beginning of the season, helping anchor the back for Republic’s defense.
“We had two tough games with Carl Junction last year, and were able to beat them in districts. They have a very strong record. They come in and play very tough, they’re athletic,” says Hines. “We knew it was going to be a good barometer to see where we are this late in the season.”
Carl Junction’s best chance had come about 15 minutes before Casagrand scored, when Republic’s defense attempted to clear the ball out from their own goal box. The ball ricocheted off the head of a Carl Junction player, arched high over everyone toward the goal, but hit the crossbar.
“It was an ugly game, the weather made it tough,” says Hines. “Both teams were fighting hard and we just happened to get the win.