For a half, Republic’s young defense held Ozark in check. The back line’s play helped Republic take a 1-0 lead into halftime.
But the second half was a different story. Ozark tied the game eight minutes after halftime, then used that momentum to score twice more, pulling away for a 3-1 win in Republic Tuesday.
In the first half, Republic had kept the pressure on Nixa, eventually breaking through on a goal by Marco Donjuan. Donjuan headed the ball into the goal off a free kick by Ethan Meyer, giving Republic a 1-0 lead with just under 24 minutes remaining in the half.
Ozark evened the score with about 32 minutes remaining on a goal by Caleb Sandgren, then took the lead less than nine minutes later when Ethan Peeples scored. The third goal of the half for Ozark was scored by Declan Cummings, with 15 minutes remaining.
Republic had a late scoring opportunity when a shot from Donjuan hit the right post in the final minute, but even if the ball had gone into the net, it likely would have been too little, too late.
Donjuan’s goal was his fifth of the season in just two games. Last Friday, after scoring four goals in the soccer game, he kicked five extra points in Republic’s football win over Neosho.
Republic falls to 1-1. Ozark is 2-0-1. Republic will host Springfield Glendale Wednesday.
