Amanda Snider was under attack early and often. But the Republic goalkeeper played what Coach Mike Hines called “the game of her career” to spearhead a 2-1 victory over Carl Junction in the district semifinals.
Snider barely got a breather at all in the first 30 minutes, but turned away shot after shot to keep the game scoreless. That changed when Sierra Casagrand got an open look from 30 yards out and drilled the ball into the back of the net to give the Lady Tigers the lead with five minutes left in the half.
Republic had seized the momentum briefly, but when the second half began, Carl Junction took control again. The Bulldogs forced Republic to play on the defensive end of the field for most of the half, and peppered Snider with shots, but she refused to break.
With eight minutes remaining, Republic took advantage of another rare opportunity when Lesleigh Fenton lofted the ball over the Carl Junction defense on a free kick. Sara Marcotte took advantage and made the score 2-0.
“It was a set piece. Lesleigh hit it and I think someone flicked it on,” says Marcotte. “I took a touch and slid it on past the goalie to the far side.”
Carl Junction made the score 2-1 a few minutes later, scoring on a penalty kick. They had multiple chances to tie the game after that, but Snider and the rest of the defense held on.
What was Snider thinking?
“Just stop the ball. That’s all I had to do was stop one more ball. One more ball and it would be over,” she says. “I’m just so extremely happy. I believed in our team since the beginning.”
The win moves Republic into the district finals Friday against Rogersville. The Lady Tigers defeated Rogersville on a cold, wet day early in the season, 3-1.