Republic snapped a frustrating scoring drought with a 2-0 home win over Central Ozark Conference East opponent Lebanon on Thursday.
The Tigers broke through midway through the second half when Sieb Kleeven pressured Lebanon’s goalkeeper into a rushed clearance that deflected back into the net for an own goal. The score came with 28:18 left and ended a stretch of more than two weeks without a goal.
That lifted the weight off the team, but Maddox Aldridge made sure the drought truly ended with a goal of his own. With 7:28 left, he finished off a broken play after Will Pinnell’s breakaway attempt was deflected. Aldridge was in the right spot to knock it home.
“I saw it was a breakaway with Will had the ball, and I just positioned my body to be ready for the deflection,” Aldridge said. “And luckily, it did deflect, and I just tapped it in. We’ve been so close. We just needed that one goal, I think, to get over the hump and keep the momentum going for the next games.”
Republic had been shut out in four straight losses, three of them 1-0 decisions, but the defense kept the Tigers competitive throughout the stretch. That trend continued against Lebanon, as Koal Williams and the back line turned in another strong performance for the shutout.
“Our defense is strong. They put in the work in practice and it shows out in the games,” Williams said. “Like the one-goal games. Defense is doing what they can. They’re saving my butt a couple of times for sure. I’m grateful for them.”
Williams said seeing the first goal finally go in was a spark. “Definitely a little shocked, but pumped,” he said, “finally getting that goal drought [ended ]. Hopefully, we can use that one goal for momentum into the next game against Bolivar tomorrow.”
Republic’s defense has allowed only five goals in its last five matches despite a 1-4 record in that span. The Tigers will look to carry Thursday’s offensive breakthrough into their matchup with Bolivar on Friday.
In the JV match, Republic earned a 3-0 win.
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