Springfield Catholic’s Reese Cornwell gathered in a loose ball and tucked it into the net in the 49th minute to lift the Irish past Republic 1-0 Saturday. The ball had bounced off the upper left post after another shot before Cornwell scored the game-winner. It was the only goal of the day, and the first goal allowed by the Republic defense this season, after the Tigers opened with a 2-0 win over Waynesville Friday.
“Yesterday was a good win for us. We were moving the ball really well and playing together as a team,” says coach Kevin Hauck of the win at Waynesville. “The second half today, I thought we just came out sluggish. Our first touch wasn’t very good, and we weren’t moving the ball as we were in the first half. I didn’t think the effort was really there in the second half.”
The Tigers had opportunities to tie the game in the final 15 minutes, but couldn’t take advantage, suffering their first loss of the year. At 1-1, Hauck says he still sees some positives in the way Republic has played early.
“Our defense is playing really well together right now. Carlos (Chan) had to come out because his knee was really hurting him,” Hauck says. “Kalem (Murray) and Blake (Williamson) did a great job back there filling in, so I feel like we have five really good defenders that I can rotate on varsity, and that’s a really big positive for us. Up top, we’re creating opportunities, we just have to learn to finish them.”
On Friday, Republic freshman Marco Donjuan scored his first career goal, and Drew Flippin scored as well. Chris Pacheco assisted, and the Tiger defense and goalkeeper Dalton Ghan started the year with a shutout.
Republic hosts Sedalia Smith-Cotton Thursday in its home opener.