Landon Otero stepped up for the final kick of a penalty-kick shootout and buried it, giving Republic a 1-1 (4-3) win over Branson Friday at the Webb City Kickoff Classic.
Otero’s chance to win it came courtesy of goalkeeper Koal Williams, who stopped back-to-back Branson kicks in the middle of the shootout to swing it in Republic’s favor.
Branson made the Tigers play from behind almost from the start. The Pirates scored less than four minutes into the game and took that 1-0 lead into halftime. Williams kept the deficit at one goal, stopping a Branson shot in the 14th minute.
Republic had chances to answer in the first half but couldn’t cash them in. Jathan Ghan sent a shot wide in the 7th minute, Maddox Aldridge missed wide in the 11th, and Branson’s keeper stopped an Isaiah Redman shot in the 32nd.
The equalizer finally came in the 48th minute, when Ghan put a shot into the net to tie the game 1-1. Williams made another save four minutes later to keep it even, and a late Branson shot sailed wide. Neither team scored again in the 35-minute halves, sending the game to penalty kicks.
Branson shot first and converted, and its keeper stopped Republic’s opening kick to put the Pirates in control. Branson made its second kick, too, but Redman answered for Republic to keep the Tigers within one.
Then Williams took over. He stopped Branson’s third kick, and Micah Wright converted to even it at 2-2. Williams denied Branson again on the fourth round, and Aldridge made his kick to put Republic ahead 3-2.
Branson converted its final kick to stay alive, but that left the door open for Otero, who made his shot to end it.
Williams finished with two saves in regulation and two more in the shootout. Republic made four of its five penalty kicks — Redman, Wright, Aldridge, and Otero.
The Tigers improve to 1-1 and will play for the tournament title on Saturday.
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