(Photos by Randy Hunt of R & R Photography)
The JV Zizzers pulled out a 2-1 come from behind win against the Crocker Lion to open the season on Friday, giving Coach Frazier his first High School coaching victory. The Varsity fought back to tie score 1-1 at halftime, but two second half goals gave the victory to Crocker.
In the JV game, Crocker started out strong and had the better of play. Slowly the Zizzers started to hold their own and it became an entertaining game to watch. Crocker opened the scoring in the 23rd minute as a result of a corner kick. A corner kick from the goalkeeper’s right was sent into the box. The ball bounced before being corralled by the Lions’ Marco Gerigk who sent a shot past the keeper for a 1-0 lead.
The Zizzers’ play improved in the second half and we finally got some shots on goal. In the 10th minute, Dillon Biggers dribbled into the box and sent a shot into the net to tie the game at 1-1. Both teams missed some opportunities to take the lead after that. As the clock wound down, it looked like things might end in a tie. With about 8 minutes left in the game, Liam Tobeler’s shot found it’s way through the goalkeeper’s hands and into the goal for a 2-1 lead. Crocker kept pushing to tie the game, but a couple big saves by Logan Huff and some good work by the Zizzers defense led by Justin Casillas kept the score 2-1.
It was a great way to start the season for the JV. The play improved throughout the game and they kept working hard. Nice job boys and congratulations to Coach Frazier!
In the Varsity game, Crocker took advantage of a Zizzer mistake and got on the scoreboard early. While trying to do some of the things we have worked on in practice, the Zizzers made a bad pass in the back near midfield that was picked up by the Lions’ Teddy Zeigenbein. Using his speed, Zeigenbein broke in on goal and sent a shot past Forrest Wilson for a 1-0 lead in the 3rd minute. The Zizzers wasted little time getting the goal back. In the 5th minute, Devon Scott broke in on the right side and sent a rocket past the Lions Keeper to tie the game at 1-1. The Lions are a dangerous team that uses their speed well. Despite some chances, the score remained 1-1 at the half.
In the second half, the Zizzers fell behind early again. Zeigenbein caught the defense flat and rushed in on the left side of the goal, but Forrest Wilson knocked the shot away. Zeigenbein tracked down the rebound and crossed the ball to A.J. Imilkowski in front of the goal. Imilkowski knocked the ball in for a 2-1 lead in the 44th minute. The Zizzers played better in the second half, doing the things we want to do. There was some good ball movement and great balls played in front of the goal. Both teams had some close calls, but they were saved by the goalkeepers or went just wide of the goals. The final goal came with less than a minute left in the game. Zeigenbein got in on goal again. Forrest Wilson got a piece of the shot, but couldn’t keep it out of the goal. Final score Crocker 3, West Plains 1.
Both games were very entertaining games to watch. Both schools worked hard and provided a good challenge for their opponents. It was a great way to start the season. For the Zizzers, we have a better idea now of where we are and what areas we need to focus on. There were many good things in the games that we can build on and that’s is what we are always looking to do, build off of each performance so we are at our best at the end of the season. Keep working hard boys!
