Republic ended its up-and-down regular season on an upswing, scoring two second-half goals to drop Kickapoo 2-1 at home Wednesday. Santino Stiglianese scored both goals — assisted first by Koal Williams on a corner kick and second by Diego Zuniga on a counter.
“It’s a big win for us. We’re ready, we want to win, so that’s what we needed,” Stiglianese said. “We needed a momentum shift.”
The Tigers fell behind early, allowing a first-half goal to Kickapoo. But unlike Tuesday night, when an early goal by Webb City quickly led to another score and a 2-0 deficit, the Republic defense dug in its heels to keep Kickapoo at bay. Xavier Ulshafer had several diving saves in the second half to keep the game close and set up the comeback.
“That’s been the story of our season. When (our opponent) scores, it comes in spurts,” said coach Jesus Zuniga. “I told them, ‘It doesn’t have to be pretty, just clear the ball out.’ And there were times when we were in panic mode, and we just booted it out, and that’s what we have to do.”
Before Wednesday, Republic had never beaten Kickapoo at the varsity or junior varsity levels. That changed, first with a 4-1 JV win, then with Republic’s varsity win. Republic’s JV team wrapped up its most successful season ever, finishing with a record 13 wins to go along with five losses and two ties.
Republic’s varsity squad finished the regular season with a record of 10-13. That’s double the team’s win total from last season. The Tigers will try to build on that total in the district tournament next week, starting with a game against Glendale Monday at Ozark.
