Less than two minutes after Republic lost a 1-0 lead on a penalty kick, Republic’s Chris Pacheco fired home the game-winner to deliver a 2-1 win over Ozark Saturday. The goal secured a pool championship in the Parkview Tournament for Republic—the first tournament title in program history.
The win was also the Tigers’ first over conference rival Ozark, and it ended with unexpected drama after Republic had seized the lead in the 1st half and appeared to be on its way to a shutout win. A foul call resulted in a penalty kick, allowing Ozark to tie the game 1-1 with about eight minutes remaining.
But Republic responded with renewed intensity, taking the ball deep into the Ozark defense and keeping up the pressure. The winning goal came when Drew Flippin crossed the ball from the right corner, Pacheco gained possession and out-maneuvered two defenders on the left wing, then pounded the ball into the right side of the net beyond the outstretched arms of the Ozark keeper. From there, Republic held off Ozark for the win.
Republic’s initial goal had come late in the 1st half, after Dylan Brown flew in from behind the Ozark defense to head the ball into the net on a corner from Flippin.
Republic went 3-0 over the weekend at Parkview. The Tigers dominated Marshfield on Friday, 8-0. Dylan Brown had four goals to lead the way, and the Tiger defense delivered another shutout. Saturday morning, Republic beat Green Ridge 4-1. Austin Beck scored three goals and Brown had a goal and an assist in that one. Drew Flippin also had two assists.