Republic’s soccer team kicked off its season with a perfect 3-0 record, clinching the Webb City Shootout title Saturday with a 2-0 victory over the host Cardinals. It’s the first time ever that the Republic boys soccer team has won its first three matches.
The Tigers and Cardinals battled to a scoreless tie in the first half. Republic finally broke through with 5:51 left in the game when Diego Zuniga scored off an assist from Porter Bollinger. Bollinger cleared the ball out of the back with a long pass up the right sideline, and Zuniga outraced a defender to track down the ball and find the net.
Republic sealed the win about three minutes later. With 2:59 remaining, Zuniga assisted on a goal by Will Pinnell to make it 2-0.
Coach Jesus Zuniga praised his team’s performance but emphasized the long road ahead.
“We are playing well right now, but it’s a long season,” Zuniga said. “I’d rather be hot in November when it’s chilly, but it’s nice to see these boys buying in early and starting to trust one another.”
At this point in the season, Zuniga said his players can continue to get better by taking care of their own roles and letting everything else fall into place.
“Priority number one is themselves. They do their job, their teammates will trust them,” he said. “Once we all do what we are trying to do, it’ll click.”
The coach said another key to improving is not to get satisfied with early wins.
“As teams get better, we need to as well,” Zuniga said. “Good start, though. (I’m) proud of them for playing for each other.”