Thursday night the Zizzers took the field against the Nixa Eagles. West Plains took an early lead off a corner kick in the 9th minute. Brice Hunt’s corner kick into the 18 yard box was redirected by Josh Sims. Sims pass found Stuart Ziegler at the back post. Ziegler ripped a shot past Nixa Keeper Evan Wright for a 1-0 lead. Nixa would draw level in the 36th minute. After a failed clearance, the ball bounced around in the box and finally was corralled by Evan McCartney who fired a shot into the net to tie the game at 1-1.
In the second half, the Eagles came strong out and took the lead in the 44th minute. Evan MCartney picked up his second goal of the game when he headed in a corner kick from Guillermo Zuniga. 2-1 Eagles lead. In the 67th minute, Nixa was whistled for a handball in the box. Stuart Ziegler took the Penalty Kick for the Zizzers. His initial shot was saved by Nixa Keeper Evan Wright, but Ziegler knocked in the rebound to draw the Zizzers level at 2-2.
In the 30th minute, Ziegler crossed a ball from the right side, through the 18 yard box to Chris Saner. Saner sent a ball to the near post where Nathan Moore redirected it past the Nixa Keeper for a 3-2 Zizzer lead. Despite some fast and furious play from both sides, that is how the game would end. With the win, West Plains improves to 9-5 on the season. Up next will be a home match on Saturday against Lincoln College Prep of Kansas City. There will only be a Varsity match that day.
In JV action, Nixa scored 1 goal in each half to knock off the Zizzers 2-0. Anthony Holt made a couple of nice saves to keep things close. At times West Plains was able to move the ball, but just aren’t getting the scoring chances. Next up for the JV will be a game against Parkview at home on Tuesday, followed by a Varsity game against Parkview. The Zizzers record falls to 0-6 on the season.
