After a physical 2-0 loss at Willard on Monday night, coach Jesus Zuniga said he would know quickly how his team was dealing with adversity. The Lady Tigers responded emphatically with a 5-0 victory over Carthage at home on Tuesday.
Republic wasted little time establishing control, as Andie Wistrom opened the scoring less than nine minutes into the match. She worked her way past two defenders on the right wing, cut the ball in, and punched it past the advancing goalkeeper for a score.
Kaylee Cornelsen then took over, finding the net twice before halftime. Her first goal came on a free kick 25 yards from the goal on the left side. She bounced it just inside the left post with 20:23 remaining to double the lead. She scored again with 8:12 left in the half from the opposite side of the field, shooting from 28 yards out on the right wing. The ball bounced just in front of the left crossbar and ricocheted in, giving the Lady Tigers a commanding 3-0 lead at the break.
The offensive surge continued in the second half. Claire Redman added the fourth goal with 31:23 remaining, lofting the ball over Carthage goalkeeper Keime Mendoza-Mejia’s head. Just minutes later, Cadence Lugar capped the scoring with a powerful strike from about 25 yards out on the right wing, blasting the ball into the back of the net with 28:55 left to play.
The shutout is the tenth of the season for goalkeeper Awbree Berning and the Republic defense.
The victory improves Republic’s record to 13-7, while Carthage falls to 9-9.
Republic will travel to Rolla on Friday before returning home on May 13 to face Parkview for Senior Night.
