The Zizzer Varsity Soccer Team picked up their third victory of the season Thursday night as they edged the Logan-Rogersville Wildcats in a shootout. After a scoreless first half that was less than pretty, the Zizzers came out hard in the second half and created several good scoring chances. But it was the Wildcats who got on the scoreboard first. In the 63rd minute of play. A Rogersville player sent a cross into the box from the left side to Brandon Ludwig who put the ball in the net for a 1-0 Wildcat lead. The Zizzers would draw level just 7 minutes later. David Evans sent a free kick into the box from the left side. Seth Phegley flicked the ball with his head to Tony Meza (pictured against Poplar Bluff) who headed it inside the far post for his first Varsity Goal. The rest of regulation and two 10-minute Overtime periods produced some exciting soccer, but failed to produce a goal. That meant a penalty kick shootout.
In the shootout, the Zizzers shot first. The first shooter for the Zizzers was Klay Norman who put his shot in and gave West Plains a 1-0 lead. The first Rogersville shooter sent his shot over the top of the goal. The second shooter for West Plains was Seth Phegley whose shot put the Zizzers up 2-0. Nathan Davis scored for the Wildcats to cut the lead to 2-1. Dustin Downen saved the next Zizzer shot and then Wes Bird tied it up at 2-2 with his goal. Goalkeeper Anthony Holt put the Zizzers back in the lead at 3-2 with his attempt and Rogersville missed a shot wide to the left of the goal. With a chance to clinch it the fifth Zizzer shot was saved by Downen leaving it up to Rogersville with the final shot. Anthony Holt punched the final ball away to give the Zizzers the win. The official score goes down as 2-1 with the Zizzers winning the shootout 3-2. Although it is exciting, a shootout is a tough way to decide a game after both teams battled hard for 100 minutes.
In the JV game, only 35 minutes of action were played because of darkness. The Zizzers came out and played well, creating some good scoring chances, but ended up losing 1-0 on a goal in the 22nd minute. This was a much better effort by the Zizzers than they had on Tuesday at Rolla. The teamwork was much improved.
Up next are games Friday at Branson, JV first at 4:30pm I believe.
