Springfield MO Soccer

The Kickapoo Lady Chiefs came back from a 0-1 deficit this evening to defeat the Joplin Lady Eagles by the score of 2-1 and claim their second straight District 12 title.

The game was hard fought, physical and worthy of a District Title bout match. Despite having witnessed a major upset the evening before, the Chiefs were not prepared for the Eagles effort and desire to match the District 11 result. Joplin came closest early, when in the fourth minute junior Laken Neal broke into the right side of the box and unleashed a shot that required Chief’s goalkeeper Jessica McCutcheon to push the shot over the crossbar. The Chief’s had early opportunities as well, in particular when sophomores Katie McLain and Paige Blotter worked together on the left side to create opportunities for each other. Midway through the half the Chief’s best opportunity came from a corner kick, sent to the far post by senior Karissa Nedoma and headed just wide by senior captain Afton Weimer. The Chief’s began to gain control as the half wore on but the Eagles answered all of the Chief’s efforts, led from the back by senior captain Rachel Driver and her linemates Stephanie Taylor, Saysan Jones and Kelly Yount.

The first half was scoreless and the crowd had to wonder which team would finally break through. The question was answered less then three minutes later when freshman Kelsey Sanders stunned the Chief’s by taking a ball at midfield and threading her way right down the middle, weaving her way around several defenders in the process. Her shot, from just inside the box, crashed into the underside of the crossbar and fell into the goal to give the Eagles the 1-0 lead.

Unfortunately for the Eagles, it was the tonic the Chief’s needed. Finally heeding their coaches urging to win the 50/50 balls and establish their offense, the girls began the slow but steady effort to break their opponents. Joplin did not go quietly and had several good chances as the clock ticked down, early from Jessica Baker and later on set pieces with Rachel Driver putting the ball into the box. It was the Chief’s that cracked the safe however when, following Hilary Dorland’s hustle in sending a loose ball back into the offensive end, Katie McLain set up for a direct kick from 30 yards out on the left side. Her ball found Weimer unmarked and her header was not wide this time, instead finding it’s way just inside the post. 1-1 with another 23 minutes remaining to decide the match.

It was not until the 75th minute that Kickapoo broke the Eagle’s hearts. Again it was sophomore Katie McLain, again it was a set piece, in this case a corner kick. Katie is incredibly reliable with her service from the corner and this time she was remarkable. Her ball found it’s way just over the outstretched hands of the goalkeeper and into the side netting on the far side, inside the goal. 2-1 Chief’s. The Eagles did not give up but the rejuvenated Chief’s held and have now set a date for a third meeting this season with in-town rival the Glendale Falcons.

I’ll be back later with some interview material from the goal scorers. For now mark your calendars - Tuesday May 23rd, 7:00 pm at Cooper Soccer Complex. A Missouri State Sectional game. Yowzah!