After a two-year layoff, it took Clara Fronabarger three minutes to score the first goal in the Lady Tigers’ return to the soccer pitch. Fronabarger scored twice in the first half, and Republic’s defense made those goals hold up in a 2-1 win over Rogersville to open the season.
“I could tell there was a little nervousness, just because we’re so young and there’s been a gap year, and… it’s been a while since we played together,” Fronabarger said. “(We were) just trying to keep the nerves down, keep it calm, but we were definitely excited.”
Republic’s first score started with senior midfielder Sarah Hicks, who stepped up on a Rogersville goal kick about 35 yards from the goal and headed it back toward the Wildcats defense. Fronabarger chased the ball down wide on the left wing about ten yards out, booted it left-footed at a severe angle, and floated it over the outstretched arms of Rogersville goalkeeper Lindsey Shepard. Shepard got her fingertips on the ball, but it bounded into the net to put Republic on top.
Fronabarger scored her second goal unassisted when Rogersville misplayed the ball about 35 yards from the goal. Fronabarger took the ball away, turned to face the goal, weaved between two defenders and got space about five yards outside the goal box near the hash marks. She fired it right to left across the face of Shepard, tucking the ball into the corner of the net.
Near the midway point of the second half, Rogersville cut the lead to one. Nikki Wood made a long run from midfield on a breakaway. Republic keeper Alycia Hauck came out to deflect Wood’s shot 15 yards from the goal, but Republic wasn’t able to clear the ball. Wood ended up with the rebound and tucked the ball into the open net to make the score 2-1.
Republic had plenty of good opportunities to score a third goal, including shots by Fronabarger and Regan Holmes, but several good plays in goal by Shepard kept the score close throughout.
“I’m happy to get the win,” said coach Kevin Hauck. “I thought that the girls played hard, and I thought we had times we were really good in our attack. We had some really nice and creative runs.
“Then late in the first half and late in the game, we got a little unorganized, but the girls were able to find it back, so that was good to see.”
Republic won the JV game 3-0.
Republic plays at Parkview next Tuesday. The varsity game will begin at 4:30.
