West Plains took advantage of its best opportunity to score the goal’s only game, stealing a 1-0 victory and spoiling Republic’s home opener Thursday night.
The Zizzers scored about 25 minutes into the game when they headed the ball into the goal off a long throw-in. It was all they needed, as they kept the Tigers off the board for the rest of the night.
Republic coach David Ashby says the Tigers’ passing was “below average,” and his players didn’t respond when challenged by West Plains’ physical style.
“It took way too long for us to get it together. It as probably 12-15 minutes left in the game we started to respond, started to play with a little energy (and) a little hustle,” Ashby says. “When the game gets escalated like that, it gets sloppy. We started losing our focus a little bit.”
Ashby also was unhappy with the style of play, and the way the game was called by the officials.
“It got out of hand quick. It wasn’t more than ten minutes before both coaches were up in arms with the referees,” he says. “They let it go. It was too physical.”
Still, Ashby says the Zizzers earned their win.
“We realized (West Plains) wasn’t going to do anything special. They’re a boot and run kind of team,” he says. “They just capitalized on their one chance.”