On Tuesday, the Zizzer Soccer Teams traveled to Lebanon for an Ozark Conference Match against the Yellow Jackets. As the game started, the Zizzers played very slow. The fire that they showed the night before against Poplar Bluff wasn’t there. Lebanon had the better of the play in the first half as they won the majority of balls in the air and were able to complete more passes and possess the ball more than West Plains. Lebanon would get on the board first with the goal coming on a Corner Kick. #15 sent a great ball into the box where #7 went up unchallenged and headed the ball just inside the post for a 1-0 lead. The score remained 1-0 at halftime.
To start the second half, the Zizzers rediscovered the fire. Challenging every ball in the air and winning the majority of them, the Zizzers began putting more pressure on the Lebanon defense. But for all the hard work, West Plains couldn’t tie the game. Finally, in the 67th minute, a pass found Freshman Ethan Hunt open in the middle of the field. Hunt ripped a shot from about 25 yards out to the far upper corner of the goal to even things at a goal each.
Both teams battled through the end of regulation and two ten-minute overtime periods without scoring another goal. That meant things would be decided in a penalty kick shootout. Lebanon won the toss and elected to shoot first. On the first shot for Lebanon, Anthony Holt made a save. Klay Norman scored on the first shot for West Plains, 1-0 Zizzers. In the second round, #15 scored for Lebanon and the Zizzers shot hit the underneath side of the crossbar and bounced out. Tied 1-1. In the third round, #2 shot and Anthony Holt got his hands on it, but the ball just bounced across the goalline. The Lebanon keeper saved the West Plains shot, 2-1 Lebanon. In the fourth round, #7 scored for Lebanon and Anthony Holt scored for West Plains, 3-2 Lebanon. In the final round, the Lebanon shooter put his shot over the crossbar and the West Plains shot was saved by the Lebanon Keeper, 3-2 victory for the Yellow Jackets. A tough way to end a game after working your tails off for 100 minutes, but that is how it goes sometimes. A great effort by the Zizzers in the second half and overtimes to fight back to tie the game. We just need to make sure we have that from the first whistle.
We are learning and making some strides in the right direction. We are finding out that we can do some things well if we keep our focus and play as a team. After playing 195 minutes of soccer in two nights with just 14 players seeing the field, the boys have earned a short relaxed practice on Wednesday. Keep working hard boys, it will pay off!
In JV action Lebanon came out on top 2-0. The first goal came on a penalty kick in the first half after West Plains was called for a trip in the box. The second goal came on a scramble in front of the goal in the second half. The boys played alright, but not as well as they did on Monday night. We were able to move the ball at times, but lacked the effective communication that we need.
Up next for both teams will be home games on Thursday against Springfield Catholic. JV starts at 5:00pm with Varsity to follow.