A frustrating six-match losing streak came to a crashing close Thursday at home for the Lady Tigers. Republic ripped Webb City 8-0, exploding for eight goals in just 60 minutes to end the game with 20 minutes remaining in the second half.
Republic took a 2-0 lead in the first 19 minutes, courtesy of two goals by Kendra Phiri. Molly Blades scored with 14:54 remaining in the half, assisted by Matilyn Carpenter, to make it 3-0. Brooklyn Claxton found Cadence Lugar as time wound down, and Lugar scored with three seconds remaining in the half to give Republic a 4-0 lead at the break.
The second-half goals didn’t even start until 11 minutes had passed after halftime. Lugar scored again with 28:39 on the clock, and Cameron Burton scored with an assist by Lugar less than two minutes later. That made it 6-0.
Blades assisted on a goal by Paige Elsenraat with 22:43 remaining, and when Samantha Jaquess scored with 20:50 on the clock, it sent everyone home early.
The offensive explosion, paired with a defensive shutout was “relieving (and) satisfying” said coach Jesus Zuniga. “The selflessness was what we asked for, and they met that goal.”
Despite a tough start to the season, Zuniga believes the lopsided win against Webb City — which had been 7-4 coming into the night — is “just the beginning” of a turnaround. “[We] can’t be satisfied, as we still have several games and a very tough opponent tomorrow.”
The Lady Tigers improve to 3-7. They play Harrison, Ark., at Kickapoo at 4 pm Friday.
