~Kickapoo Chiefs – 2
Glendale Falcons – 1
The Falcon’s opened the game with a goal in the 11th second this evening, as Alec Martinez nodded in header at the far post from Cameron Dugan’s fine cross. Both teams came out hard on the following restart and pushed hard to create opportunities. It was the Falcon’s who slowly imposed themselves on the game about midway through the half, winning balls in the middle and pushing forward with regularity.

The Chief’s were able to withstand the pressure but were having difficulty creating opportunities until midway through the 2nd half. The Falcon’s had two excellent opportunities, the first another Martinez shot hammered into the box that came out just as hard and fast and GK Tyler Moses withstood the attempt. Soon after senior Patrick Baltz was sent in alone as he ran onto a through ball and kept the defender at bay but his shot was wide left. That’s when the Chief’s made their statement, as Ian Kennedy sent a ball to the left side that Skyler Russell ran onto, shook his defender with a couple of quick touches and sent a hard square ball across the face of the box. Freshman Aaron Strunk made a fine run and one-timed the ball just inside the upright to even the score.

The game winner was scored by Ian Kennedy. Nate Lavoy was able to win a 50/50 ball following a Glendale clearance attempt and slipped the ball to Skyler Russell near the penalty spot. Russell held off the defenders before slipping a simple square ball into the path of Ian Kennedy who was able to push the ball to the far post before going down (video) under the defensive onslaught.

The Falcon’s pushed hard to equalize with their best chance coming in the final minute (video) but the Chief’s defense held, with Nate Lavoy making the final defensive stand rising high near the PK spot to head out a final ball sent into the box on a set piece.

The Chief’s will face the Rolla Bulldogs on Wednesday, a potential Sectional challenger, before heading into the District 11 playoffs where they are seeded #2 behind Glendale. Should be fun down in Ozark!

Greenwood Blue Jays – 2
Willard Tigers – 0
An entertaining game at Cooper #3 tonight as the Jay’s celebrated Senior Night and took on the Tigers. A scoreless game until the 63rd when Stuart Beezley scored with an assist to the weather. The Jay’s had a set piece that was cleared but Beezley tracked it down on the far left side of the box and when given the opportunity to turn sent a low hard shot to the far post that the keeper got down in front of. A bad bounce, a hard shot and it spun up and across the endline. That opened up the game as the Tiger’s worked very hard to get the equalizer, moving the ball down the middle and the wings. The Jay’s made them pay on the counter-attack in the 67th as Chris Aiken got down the right side before putting a square ball into the box, with Devon Whitlock handling the opportunity well to settle and quickly shoot to the open side of the net.

Catholic Fightin’ Irish – 4
Bolivar Liberators – 0
winner earns COC Small School title

College Heights Crusaders – 1 (PKs)
Cassville Wildcats – 0
The game went to a shoot-out, 3 saves by goalkeeper Evan Belk helped his team to a 3-1 advantage and the win. Belk also kept the Crusader’s in the game with a PK save in regulation.

Ozark Tigers – 10
Hillcrest Hornets – 0

Monett Cubs – 5
Thomas Jefferson – 0
Scoring in the first half for the Cubs were Abraham Mejia off of a corner kick (assisted by Mauricio Trujillo), Pedro Almaraz (assisted by Will Snider), and Maurcio Trujillo (assisted by Pedro Almaraz). The team has been searching for a consistent lineup and the late season adjustments are starting to pay off for the Cubs. Alex Oserowsky scored the lone goal for Thomas Jefferson in the 30th minute of the first half. Scoring in the second half for the Cubs were Abraham Mejia (assisted by Pedro Almaraz) and Al Dohmen (assisted by Mauricio Trujillo).

Jeff City Jays vs Waynesville Tigers – cancelled, will not be made up
Camdenton vs Crocker – Cancelled due to field conditions.
Lebanon vs Marshfield – Cancelled due to field conditions.
Stover vs Osage – Cancelled due to field conditions.
Central vs Nixa – Cancelled due to field conditions, no replay.

Last week of the season and the weather hasn’t changed. Leave your updates here. As is my habit, I list varsity start times. And remember, the US opens play in the U-17 World Cup vs SPAIN today, live at 12:45 pm on ESPNU.