Carthage handed Republic its second consecutive shutout to open the season, a 3-0 decision in Republic’s home opener Tuesday.
Carthage scored first in the 33rd minute when Welle Welle sneaked the ball past Republic goalkeeper Xavier Ulshafer. Carthage scored another goal early in the second half when a shot from left to right by Eric Garcia found the right corner of the net. The third goal was a rocket by Garcia that ripped into the top left back of the net.
Coach Jesus Zuniga said his team is still trying to find its way after losing most of its scoring last year, and trying to adjust to a new offensive system and a new coach in a few months.
“We’ve gone 170 minutes and we haven’t scored a goal, so once we find that first goal, they’re going to come,” he said. “We have to be patient with the process…It’s not the way we plan on starting the season, but I know they will figure it out.”
Despite the the rough start, though, Zuniga said he takes some positives from the game – starting with the play of Ulshafer, who made several brilliant saves despite being under assault all night.
“I think everyone by the end of tonight and if they watch film will see that we probably have one of the best goalkeepers in the area, if not the state, so that’s huge,” Zuniga said of Ulshafer.
And Zuniga believes the rest of the roster has the talent to turn around the slow start.
“I have some players who are more than willing to play multiple positions, and they’re strong at it,” Zuniga said. “So maybe that’s where, as a coaching staff, we have to take a step back and reflect and say, ‘Where are we truly strong with everyone?’ And once we figure it out, we will be a team to fear.”