Wild Game, Woolley Finish: Lady Tigers Win in Double Overtime

Republic trailed three times and tied it three times before Ava Woolley ended it. Her free kick with 2:31 left in the second overtime curled over Webb City goalkeeper Camille Nimmo, giving the Lady Tigers a 5–4 win.

Bria Claxton had drawn the foul near the left sideline that set up the kick. Woolley didn’t hesitate.

“Coach Z was screaming at me to play fast,” Woolley said, “and I just looked up and I was thinking I could curve it in with the wind, and I just took the shot and it went right over the keeper’s hands.”

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The sudden-death winner was the final exclamation point on a night of comebacks for Republic, who fell behind early, briefly took the lead around halftime, then spent the rest of the evening playing catch-up.

Webb City’s Dakota DeGraffenreid opened the scoring in the first half, beating goalkeeper Awbree Berning with about 12 1/2 minutes in. Republic answered eight minutes later, when Claxton threaded through the defense from midfield and played the ball ahead to Jaclyn Wade, who finished to tie it. Andie Wistrom then put Republic in front with an unassisted goal with 8:42 left in the half.

The second half unraveled early, when DeGraffenreid scored twice in less than three minutes to put Webb City ahead 3–2. Paige Elsenraat tied the score again when she knocked in a rebound while falling down with about 29 minutes left. But Avery Pogue restored the Webb City lead at the 23:44 mark. Macey Mitchell tied it again on a penalty kick with 11:02 left, after a penalty against Webb City as Andie Wistrom drove toward the goal.

The first extra period produced no scoring. The second was nearly over when Claxton drew the foul and Woolley made it count.

“We were all super tired and we were really wanting the win,” Woolley said, “so it was really good to get the game winner.”

The win is Republic’s 10th of the season. The Lady Tigers improve to 10–6 overall and 2–0 in Central Ozark Conference West play. They travel to Neosho for another COC West battle on Thursday.