In the first two games of the season, Republic’s soccer team fell behind early to Glendale and Rolla. Thursday against Rogersville, that didn’t happen. Republic jumped ahead quickly and decisively, scoring three goals in the first 23 minutes, and romped to a 6-2 win over the Wildcats at home.
After scoring two goals in the first 180 minutes of the season, the offensive outburst was a welcome change for Republic. And just as important, it involved several different players.
“Tuesday… one of our main points we talked about was, ‘Hey, we have to have girls who want to score out there besides just one,’ and the girls really responded well to that,” said coach Kevin Hauck. “I thought we were really aggressive and looking for good opportunities when they presented them to us. And then we did a nice job of taking advantage of that.”
The Lady Tigers struck first when Jaiden Gibbs charged in to connect on a rebound off the left goalpost, striking it home to make the score 1-0. That happened in the 16th minute, and five minutes later, Sarah Hicks scored to make it 2-0. Just two minutes later, Emma Duvall scored Republic’s third goal. For Gibbs and Duvall, it was their first career varsity goals.
“It was nice tonight to get aggressive out of the gates because Monday and Tuesday we fell behind really fast. And so tonight, to start out as strong as we did and really be aggressive… I believe that really helped us a lot,” Hauck said. “That gives us a lot of confidence in a game, and it allows for us to have momentum throughout it.”
In the second half, Rogersville got on the board when Lexie Vernon scored in the 50th minute.
Republic’s McKaelyn Klossing became the third Lady Tiger of the night to score her first career varsity goal when she put the ball into the net in the 61st minute. That made the score 4-1.
After Sophia Nixon scored for Rogersville, Clara Fronabarger scored twice in the final eight minutes of the game to account for the final score.
The win is the second straight for Republic, and it improves the Lady Tigers’ record to 2-1. Republic hosts Sedalia Smith-Cotton Friday.
Goal Scoring (Season total in parentheses)
Jaiden Gibbs (1), Sarah Hicks (1), Emma Duvall (1), McKaelyn Klossing (1), Clara Fronabarger 2 (3)
Farr Better Player of the Game
In a game that featured a variety of offensive weapons for Republic, Clara Fronabarger was in the middle of the attack. Not only did she score two second-half goals, she assisted on two others, and she’s our Farr Better Player of the Game.
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