February 6, 2012

Donjuan Becomes 1st All-Region Tiger

IMG 4801Junior defender Hugo Donjuan has been named to the Boys Soccer Class 2 All-Region Team. Donjuan is the first player in the history of Republic’s young soccer program to receive all-region recognition.

Donjuan says off-season work helped pave the way for his improvement.

“I played club, and my skills got better there,” he says. “A lot of my teammates were on the club team i was on. Then when soccer season came, we got along even better, because we already knew each other.”

 

“He’s an athlete that shows up to every practice and game ready to play,” says coach Mike Hines. “He says very little, but works as hard or harder than any one. He is developing in to a very tough defender, and I’m extremely happy to have him for one more year.”

Donjuan says he’s eager for what lies ahead, too. “I’m excited for our club season, to be with some of my friends from this team, and we’ll see each other progress for next year,” he says.

“We’ll see the work we’ve put into this program, and we didn’t lose many seniors, so we’ll be better.”

The all-region team is drawn from six districts in southwest and south-central Missouri.

Soccer Team Fundraiser

In recognition of October as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the boy’s soccer programs at Republic and Kickapoo are jointly sponsoring a fundraising event, with all proceeds to be donated to the Breast Cancer Foundation.

On Tuesday, October 26, the Republic Tigers will host the Webb City Cardinals on the north field of the Kickapoo soccer complex. The Kickapoo Chiefs will host the Carthage Tigers on the south field. Admission will be $3 for adults and $2 for children under 12.

The evenings’ events will include four soccer matches, beginning with Junior Varsity matches at 5 pm. Varsity matches will follow the JV matches. There will also be a silent auction of several items, including pink SELECT game balls autographed by players, and a drawing, as well as “Kicking for a Cure” T-shirts for sale.

Soccer Team Comes from Behind

The Republic Tigers soccer team used two late goals to come from behind and beat Aurora 2-1 Thursday.

The Tigers and Houn’ Dawgs were scoreless at halftime, but Aurora struck first on a header off a corner kick to take a 1-0 lead.

At about the 65th minute, senior forward Eddy Rosas was fouled in the penalty box. Hugo Donjuan scored on the ensuing penalty kick to tie the score.

About two minutes later, Rosas broke through the Aurora defense and sent a well-placed shot past the goalie for the game-winner.

The JV team also won, 1-0, on a goal by Christian Iles.

Soccer Tigers Make History with 1st Win

The Republic boys soccer team soccer had never even led in a game in its short history, until tonight. And the Tigers made it count, hanging on for the program’s first-ever victory, 2-1 over Neosho.

A goal by Jose Salgado about 20 minutes into the first half marked the first time the Tigers had ever led.

“When that first goal went in, we got an energy boost and we were all over them,” said Republic coach Mike Hines. “I could really tell the wind momentarily came out of Neosho’s sails.”

A second goal about 20 minutes later, on a penalty kick by Hugo Donjuan, made the lead 2-0. It stayed that way until halftime.

“The worst lead you have is a 2-0 lead, because you allow a team to score and they’re back in it,” said Hines. That happened when Neosho scored about 18 minutes into the second half, cutting the lead to 2-1.

Neosho missed scoring opportunities that would have tied it, but Republic held on.

“We had to shift some guys around and learn how to finish strong,” Hines said. “It takes some mental toughness to play this game for 80 minutes. I know I’m drained and I wasn’t even playing.

“Just like anything else, these guys have to figure out how to win.”

The Tigers are back in action next Monday against New Covenant Academy.

Marcotte Signs with SBU

MarcotteCongratulations to Republic High School senior Molly Marcotte! She signed a letter of intent Tuesday to play soccer with Southwest Baptist University.