Tuesday’s Central Ozark Conference soccer match between Ozark and Republic didn’t go into overtime, but it came down to dueling penalty kicks anyway. During a two-minute stretch early in the second half, Ozark turned away a penalty kick by Republic, then scored on its own PK at the other end of the field to set up a 1-0 victory.
After pressuring Ozark for much of the first half but failing to score, Republic had its best opportunity three minutes after halftime. Philip Mason sprinted up the right sideline and was fouled just inside the box, setting up a penalty kick. But Ozark’s keeper guessed right and blocked Mason’s shot back in front of the goal – then managed to get a hand on Mason’s second shot off the rebound.
At the other end a minute later, Dillon Holesapple was fouled in the box, then slipped a penalty kick past Drake Lightfoot for the only goal of the game.
Republic almost immediately had two more chances to score on corner kicks, but couldn’t convert. Lightfoot and the Republic defense turned away multiple shots in the last 25 minutes of the game, but Republic couldn’t get the ball in the net.
“I was really impressed with the way that we worked,” said coach Kevin Hauck. “I think we just got tired late in the game. “This was third game, and our first game. We were trying to find our legs … on what it’s like playing a full 80 minutes out here and how much work it’s going to take. We missed some good opportunities as well throughout the game, but overall, I have a good vibe about it.”
Republic has a busy week. They’ll look for their first win at Glendale Wednesday night, then host Sedalia Smith-Cotton Thursday.
