For only the second time in 21 meetings, the West Plains Lady Zizzer Soccer Team defeated the Poplar Bluff Lady Mules on a rain soaked Tuesday Evening at the WPHS Soccer Field. The teams played through a pretty constant rain in what proved to be a very enjoyable match. Both teams are fairly young, but showed some aggressiveness in their attacks. There were a few times when players slipped and fell and seeral balls that skipped past players, but for the most part, the weather wasn’t a huge factor.
Although Poplar Bluff controlled the play early, Michelle Esterle was able to break into the box around the 15th minute. As she went toward goal, she was tripped up by a Poplar Bluff player and a Penalty Kick was awarded. Sophomore Mollie Plocher scored the peanlty for a 1-0 lead. As the half went on the Lady Zizzers began to generate more attacks as the momentum began to swing.
The Lady Mules would fight back. In the 34th minute a shot (Don’t have the number of the girl who scored it) just inside the far post from about 12 yards out on the right side tied the game at 1-1. That’s how the half would end.
The second half was more of the same. Both teams were able to create some opportunities, but couldn’t capitalize. Then in the 71st minute, Plocher took the ball herself and beat two defenders before sliding a left footed shot toward the far post just past the diving keeper. West Plains was able to hold off the late charge by Poplar Bluff and get the 2-1 win.
This was by far the best performance of the young season for West Plains. For the first time we had a pretty consistent effort from start to finish. Great job girls, all the way around!! Defensively our backs and midfielders did a better job of keeping their marks and covering for each other when we made mistakes. We were much more aggressive going to balls and getting our heads on balls.
With the win, West Plains evens their record at 3-3-0 on the season. Not sure what Poplar Bluff’s record is. Next up for the Varsity is the Neosho Tournament Friday and Saturday. West Plains will play Parkview in the First Round at 6:30pm on Friday.
In JV action before the Varsity, Poplar Bluff won 5-0. All 5 goals were scored in the first half. The match was delayed at halftime for some lightning. The second half was shortened to just 20 minutes so we could make sure to get the Varsity game completed. The Lady Zizzer JV record drops to 2-2-0 on the season.
Note: SGFsoccer.com has pictures from last night’s game against Greenwood. Be sure to check them out.
