Republic blitzed Carthage with goals in the first half, then held off Carthage’s counter-attack in the second half to pick up a 5-0 conference win at home. It was the fourth consecutive shutout for goalkeeper Bella Drennan and the defense, and it kept Republic undefeated in league play. Anna Jones had a hat trick to lead the Lady Tigers’ offense.
Abbie Hicks scored first to give the Lady Tigers the lead, and Republic went on top 2-0 when Sarah Hicks followed her sister with a goal of her own, arching the ball over the arms of Carthage’s keeper from about 25 yards out.
Republic went ahead 3-0 after Anna Jones was tripped from behind in the box and punched home her penalty kick. The lead stretched to 4-0 when a Carthage defender inadvertently scored an own goal just before halftime. Jones was credited with that goal, as well.
After Republic had controlled possession for most of the first half, Carthage picked up the intensity in the second. Carthage mounted several charges deep into the Republic defense, but were turned away each time. Drennan made several good saves, after not seeing much activity during Republic’s recent wins against Carl Junction and Branson.
Republic finished the scoring with Jones’ third goal of the night. From the top of the box, she slid the ball left to right, using her left foot and tucking it into the right corner of the goal for Republic’s fifth score.
The victory is the 11th of the season for Republic, against just three losses. The Lady Tigers are still unbeaten in the Central Ozark Conference at 4-0.
Republic hosts Kickapoo Friday.
Farr Better Player of the Game
Senior goalkeeper Bella Drennan, in her first year as a starter, played like a veteran in the second half of Republic’s win over Carthage. Drennan made several saves, including one diving to her right, to keep Republic’s string of four consecutive shutouts alive, and she is our Farr Better Player of the Game.
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