For the second time in four years, Republic took Central Ozark Conference rival Nixa to overtime–and for the second time, the Tigers came up a little short. Nixa scored with about three minutes left in the first overtime period when Republic’s defense, trying to clear the ball on a shot that had gone wide, inadvertently deflected it into the net, giving the Eagles a 4-3 victory.
The goal ended a golden opportunity for Republic to break through against one of the COC’s top programs. The Tigers had briefly taken the lead with about 12 minutes left when Dylan Brown beat Nixa’s defense and booted a loose ball into the right side of the net as three Eagles scrambled to stop him. That made the score 3-2, but a Nixa goal just 90 seconds later evened the score.
The teams were playing a game that started Tuesday night, but had been delayed by lightning with about 11 minutes remaining in the first half. The score was tied 1-1.
When play resumed, Nixa quickly took a 2-1 lead when Hunter Wilson scored. That was the score at halftime.
Brown scored the equalizer with 27:18 remaining in the second half, then gave the Tigers the lead with 12:33 left before Nixa scored the final two goals of the game.
Republic falls to 2-1. They plat at West Plains on Wednesday.