Republic soccer overcame a slow start to zip past Springfield Parkview for a 6-0 win on the road Tuesday. Clara Fronabarger scored four goals for the Lady Tigers, with Sarah Hicks and Jaiden Gibbs adding a goal apiece.
The teams played on a seldom-used grass practice field behind JFK Stadium at Parkview because of a track meet being held at the stadium. Republic played without head coach Kevin Hauck on the sideline, who was with his family after the birth of his second child. JV coach Gabrielle Ybarra filled in, earning her first career varsity coaching win.
“We started off really lethargic and sluggish,” Ybarra said. “I believe part of that was the field that we were playing on. We were slow to win the ball, slow to make passes, slow to release the ball all around.
“In the second half, we did a much better job about our speed of play. We opened up more for each other, we were able to get the ball off and really connect,” she said.
The difference in play showed on the scoreboard. Republic scored just two goals before halftime, but scored four times in the final 40 minutes, including three by Fronabarger.
For Ybarra, being at the helm for a varsity game in Hauck’s absence was a different experience.
“I felt a little more pressure. I just wanted to be a good coach for the girls so we could come out with a win,” she said. “Since we started off rocky in the first half, it did make me a little nervous. After we had our halftime talk and we started off in the second half, I felt a lot better.”
Republic improves to 3-2.