Originally uploaded by Zizzer Soccer.
The Zizzers traveled to Rolla Friday for a match againt the Bulldogs in the First Round of the Rolla Tournament. In what would not be described as a pretty match, the Zizzers came out on top 2-1. The win for the Zizzers was just their second ever against the Bulldogs (The first win was in 1997 at West Plains). The Zizzers avoided giving up an early goal to Rolla as a couple of long throws and corner kicks bounced inside the 18 yard box, but were eventually cleared out of danger. Rolla had another good scoring chance on a free kick from 30 yards out that appeared to be just under the crossbar when Zizzer Keeper Zach Auala, knocked it up and over the goal. The Zizzers created a few corners as well, but neither team could find the net.
In the 20th minute, Justin Scicluna was fouled in the box resulting in a penalty kick. Scicluna scored the kick to give West Plains a 1-0 lead which held up until about 20 minutes into the second half. This time the call went the other way. A Rolla player was knocked down in the box. Kam Maddy scored the penalty for Rolla to tie the game at 1-1. Finally with about 12 minutes left in the game, Kyle Martin (pictured above in the game against Moberly) took a pass from Chris Saner and beat a defender on the left sideline. Martin the crossed the ball with his left foot, but the ball went over the Rolla keeper and just inside the backpost for a goal and a 2-1 Zizzer lead. West Plains was able to hold on, despite the pressure of the Bulldogs.
With the win, West Plains improves to 4-0-1 on the season. On Saturday, The Zizzers go back to Rolla to take on Dixon at 10:45am and Jackson at 1:00pm. The Goal for Kyle Martin was the first Varsity Goal of his career. After being used primarily as a back, he is seeing more time in the midfield this season.
Congrats Boys on the win.