Nixa caught Republic by surprise for a 1st-half goal, added a second score after halftime, and hung on for a hard-fought 2-0 victory at Nixa Tuesday night.
The Eagles scored their first goal after a foul against Republic about 30 yards from the goal. As the Tigers were lining up to defend the free kick, Nixa’s Brady Harrison booted the ball into the net.
Republic coach Kevin Hauck says it was a smart play by Harrison.
“If the ref doesn’t call it dead … you can play it as quick as you want,” Hauck says. “Typically, we get a guy in front of the ball to slow him down, and we didn’t this time, and Dalton was … setting up the wall, thinking he had time. They made a smart play. They saw that we weren’t ready, and they were able to play it.”
Nixa added a second goal in the 63rd minute when Jacob Voi scored to make it 2-0, and Nixa goalkeeper Jakob Price turned away shot after shot to keep the Tigers at bay.
Despite a second straight loss–the Tigers lost to Springfield Catholic 1-0 Friday–Hauck likes where his team is headed.
“We’re working hard out here,” he says. “That second half, we were dominating Nixa. We had great opportunities, great looks, we were getting tons of shots on goal. I told the boys to keep their heads up. They’re playing great. I really think, looking forward to the end of the year, we’re capable of accomplishing some big stuff this year, and I’m just really excited to see what we can do.”
Republic is 2-2. The Tigers host West Plains Thursday.
