Springfield MO Soccer

The Kickapoo Chiefs defeated the Rolla Bulldogs 4-3 on Megan Melugin’s second goal of the match, this one 6 1/2 minutes into overtime, to advance to the Quarterfinals for the second straight year. Their opponent on Saturday will be St Joseph Academy, 2-0 winners over Columbia Rock Bridge this evening. Game time is 2:00 pm at the University of Missouri - Rolla pitch, located behind the Field House on Route 63.

The Chief’s won the coin toss and chose to defend the Southern end, allowing them to take advantage of the wind to start the game. It was in the 5th minute when freshman Megan Melugin was left open on the left side and she put her shot into the roof of the net as the keeper came across to try and block the shot. Two minutes later and it was McLain to Blotter, as this reliable pair combined on a corner kick, with Paige burying her volley into the side back of the net.

Rolla finally found their footing and began the move the ball around on the ground. There were several opportunities that presented themselves but it wasn’t until the 27th minute that freshman Olivia Cox was sent in on the left from a ball that was switched from the right hand side by #11. As Olivia moved into the box, she slid the ball under the keeper who slid out to challenge. Kickapoo increased the margin to two again in stoppage time. Another corner kick by McLain, this one was beautifully curved into the six yard box where the keeper got a hand on it but was unable to push it out as Amanda Dominguez challenged.

More tomorrow, I’m going to go catch the highlights on KSPR 33. Update - what a pair of quality goals those first two were! I’ll be back late this afternoon with more photos, in the meantime, here’s an interview with freshman Megan Melugin, who got the first goal and the gamewinner.

Megan Melugin on the Sectional game