(Photo by Randy Hunt of R & R Photography)
The Branson Pirates came to West Plains on Friday for a non-conference match. It was Senior Night for the Zizzers, who recognized 5 Seniors (Louis Jones, Klay Norman, Cory Parks, Jack Parrish, and Travis Waterson)and their parents between games. It was a great game that saw both teams playing hard, moving the ball, and creating scoring chances. It would be the Zizzers who would strike first in this one. Justyn Biggers’ cross from the right side in the 16th minute, found Kamen Smith open about 15 yards from goal. Smith’s shot was stopped by the Branson Keeper, but the rebound came back to Smith. The second shot found the back of the net for Smith’s first career goal and a 1-0 lead. The score would remain 1-0 at the half.
The Pirates went to work quickly in the second half, getting goals in the 42nd and 45th minutes. Fernando Cedeno had a hand in both Branson goals. On the first one, Cedeno brought a ball down in the box and fired a shot past Louis Jones to draw the Pirates level at 1-1. Three minutes later, Cedeno’s cross from the right side found Carlos Reyes in front of the goal. Reyes put one past Jones to give the Pirates a 2-1 lead. Both teams battled back and forth. Then in the 55th minute, Louis Jones sent a long punt across midfield. The ball bounced past the Branson defender and Devon Scott ran onto it, Scott carried the ball in on goal and slid a shot past the Branson Keeper to draw the Zizzers level at 2-2. The goal was Scott’s first career goal. Despite some close calls, the score would remain 2-2 through the end of regulation and two 10-minute Overtime periods.
After 100 minutes of play, a winner could not be determined. This meant the winner would be decided in a Penalty Kick Shootout. Each team chose a Keeper and 5 shooters. The Zizzers won the toss and elected to shoot second. Preston Neely was up first for the Pirates. Neely scored his PK for a 1-0 advantage. Cory Parks was up first for the Zizzers. His shot was stopped by the Branson Keeper. Next up was Noah Lennon for the Pirates. Lennon’s shot was stopped by Louis Jones. Dylan York stepped up for the Zizzers and knotted things up at 1-1. Fernando Cedeno then scored for Branson to make it 2-1. Chris Polston’s shot hit the post and bounced off the Branson Keeper and across the goalline to make it 2-2. Roman Gomez gave Branson the lead with his shot past Jones. Jack Parrish stepped in a fired his shot into the back of the net to make it 3-3. The last shooter for Branson was Carlos Reyes. His shot was stopped by Louis Jones, setting the stage for Justyn Biggers. Biggers sent his shot past the Keeper giving the Zizzers a 3-2 victory on Senior Night.
It was a well played game by both teams and exactly the kind of game the Zizzers needed with just a week before the beginning of District play. Great job boys!
The JV weren’t about to be outdone. After giving up a quick goal to the Pirates in the 2nd minute of play, the Zizzers fought their way back. This too was a back and forth game. In the 10th minute, Colton Hensley was taken down in the box. The Zizzers were awarded a Penalty Kick. Hensley took the kick and sent his shot past the keeper to make the score 1-1. The game would remain tied until near the last 3 minutes. With just under 3 minutes left in the game, Sean Tobeler picked up a ball and went in on goal, firing a shot into the back of the net for a 2-1 Zizzer lead. The defense was able to keep the Pirates from getting another goal. The final whistle finally blew and the JV Zizzers had their first win of the season. Great job Boys!
