Republic Soccer lost a heartbreaker in the first contest of the Viking Classic Thursday night at Parkview High School’s JFK Stadium. Northwest (Cedar Hill) scored two second-half goals to come from behind and beat the Tigers, 2-1.
The teams were scoreless at halftime, but Republic took the lead with 28:45 remaining on a goal by Elijah Phiri. The Tigers held the lead for almost exactly nine minutes, until Cedar Hill scored the equalizer with 19:43 on the clock.
Both teams had opportunities in the final 10 minutes, but it was Cedar Hill that broke through int he final minute. A free kick on the right hash mark, about 35 yards from the goal, set up the game-winner. The ball curled toward the back post, and as Republic keeper Koal Williams leaped to knock it away, he ran into another player. That allowed a Cedar Hill player to head the ball back into the right side of the net to score the clincher. Williams finished with seven saves.
Republic continues the tournament tomorrow evening with a match against Pattonville. The Tigers will play West Plains at noon on Saturday.