For 74 minutes, Republic struggled to finish an attack against Waynesville. But the final six minutes were a different story, as Republic scored twice to come from behind and nab a 2-1 victory at home on Tuesday night. The game-winner came from freshman Maleah Long—her first-ever varsity score—with three minutes remaining.
Waynesville had taken a lead late in the first half on a goal by Adrianna Cruz, who fired the ball across the box from right to left, tucking it into the left side of the goal for a 1-0 Waynesville lead.
It took a while, but Andie Wistrom finally pulled Republic level with six minutes to play.
“We really wanted that. The whole team really wanted that,” Wistrom said. “And I saw the opening and I was like, ‘Macey, now!’ And I knew I got there and I was like, ‘This is going in.’ I really wanted to win and I just knew it was coming. It’s only a matter of time.”
Three minutes later, freshman Maleah Long volleyed in a corner kick to put Republic ahead for good.
“I was getting ready to crash the goal and the girl was right on my back,” Long said. “And then they kicked it over everyone’s head and I kind of volleyed it in at the back post. So it was really cool. I was so excited.”
Long said the moment caught her off guard.
“I literally was shocked myself. And next thing I knew everyone was yelling and running to me and I was like, oh my gosh, did I just get the winning goal?” she said.
Wistrom said she ran straight to Long after the goal.
“I watched her score and then she jumped on Bria and I ran over,” Wistrom said. “I was just so happy for her and I was so happy we got the goal, because I knew once we had that, we were staying there and we were keeping the lead.”
Republic trailed for most of the match and struggled to generate chances, but Wistrom said a halftime talk helped keep the group locked in.
“We were like, hey, we need to take it personal. We want it more. We need to outplay them, outpossess them,” Wistrom said. “And even though that may not have happened, we capitalized on opportunities, and that’s what mattered.”
Republic has won five of its last six and improves to 7-4. Waynesville falls to 5-4. Republic plays Lebanon on Thursday.π
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