Monett goalkeeper Alex Patino stopped two of Republic’s first four penalty kicks Thursday night, and the Tigers opened their season with a 0-0 (4-3) shootout loss at the Webb City Kickoff Classic.
If that sounds familiar, it’s because the shutout loss is a throwback to last season’s first half, when Republic lost 10 of its first 11 matches, many of them one-goal games where the Tigers couldn’t find a goal of their own. Republic eventually turned that season around, winning 12 of their last 16. This time, the Tigers will hope the turnaround doesn’t take as long.
Scoring on Patino was never going to be easy. He’s the Big 8 Conference’s returning Goalkeeper of the Year, and he preserved the shutout through 70 minutes of regulation — the tournament used shortened 35-minute halves.
Republic goalkeeper Koal Williams matched him during regulation and had a handful of marquee saves against Cubs’ pressure. Monett controlled much of the first half, and Williams turned away a string of chances, including a free kick with about 25 minutes left in the half and a stop at the left post with 5:40 to go. His biggest moment came less than a minute later, when a foul gave Monett a penalty kick with 4:50 remaining. Williams guessed right and made the save to keep the game scoreless.
Republic’s best first-half chance came in the final three minutes, when Isaiah Redman got a good look but sent his shot wide.
The Tigers didn’t put a shot on goal in the second half until about 32 minutes remained, and Patino handled it. Their best chance of the night came with 12:30 to play, when Landon Otero’s shot sailed just over the crossbar.
About a minute and a half later, a Monett player drew a red card for taunting. That left Republic with a man advantage for the final 11 minutes, but the Tigers couldn’t capitalize, and the game went to penalty kicks still scoreless.
Patino saved two of Republic’s first four attempts, and Monett converted all four of its kicks to win the shootout 4-2. The match goes into the books as a 0-0 tie, with Monett taking the tournament win.
Republic continues play at the Webb City Kickoff Classic this weekend.
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