Nixa Eagles Win On Moat’s Goal In Final Seconds

#4 Ozark Tigers – 1
#5 Nixa Eagles – 2
Junior Sophomore Lauren Moats, the most significant addition to Girls soccer in the region this season, delivered the knock out blow for the Nixa Eagles with the game-winning goal in the final seconds of the match with Ozark this evening. Pouncing on the loose ball after goalie Paige Hemphill’s diving save of Jo Pavlowsky’s shot from 12 yards, Moat’s slipped the ball just inside the upright beyond the reach of the prone All-State goalkeeper. With the final whistle coming before the restart, the Eagles captured their most important win in recent memory, overcoming their Christian County rivals and their own internal demons.

Eleven days ago, the Eagles faced off against Ozark for the Central Ozark Conference title, only to fall in PK’s after tying the game with 7 min remaining. It was the fourth District game that the Eagle’s had lost by a goal or in PK’s, pushing them to the 5th seed in the playoffs. A team with all of the necessary components but one that had not ‘found it’s identity’ yet in the words of one father. While not a full butterfly, this chrysalis may be ready to shed the pupa holding it back with tonights win.

The game started quickly and Nixa forced Ozark keeper Paige Hemphill to come out to stop a foray in the 3rd minute. While Nixa was maintaining the majority of the possession, the Tiger’s came close a couple of times in the first 20 minutes, primarily due to a defense that was offering too much time and space in the box. Only Ozark’s inability to get a shot on frame kept the Eagles close. The Tiger’s did break through in the 27th when a strong run down the right side by Hadleigh Jordan, followed by her square ball, created an opportunity for Jordan Taylor in the six yard box. It skipped past as Eagle keeper Kristin Miller came out but Danielle Poivre was waiting at the far post to tap in the loose ball.

The Tiger’s lead held late although Jayme Braun was called upon to clear balls off the line not once but twice, in the 32nd after Kelsey Haist send Courtney Frerich in alone but her shot was parried, and again in the 45th minute following a corner kick.

The Eagles finally broke through, tying the score when Kelsey Haist buried her penalty kick following a foul on Kelsey Bartell in the box on a set piece. The opportunity came about from a hustle play by Moats who chased down a ball on the right side the defense and everyone else thought was going to roll out. Moats didn’t give up on it, kept it in play and ran towards the box when she was tripped from behind just outside the area. The free kick by Haist was followed by the foul and the goal.

The previous result was fresh in both teams minds but this was a new Eagle’s squad as Head Coach Evan Palmer made some changes during the course of the game. The key one was giving freshman Jordyn Hoskins (#2) significant minutes in central midfield during the second half as well as moving Haist into the middle with her. The additional energy and pace created more pressure as the Eagle’s stayed fresher going to the final minutes. The Tiger’s made one final foray in the 77th minute that almost broke the Eagle’s hearts but junior Courtney Frerich’s came off the goal line following a corner kick and chested a loose ball away from danger.

The Eagle’s game winner came minutes later as Kelsey Bartell went high to intercept a ball, freshman Fitzpatrick stepped up to collect the clearance and carry the ball all the way to the box before her cross set up the game-winner.

The Eagle’s face off against Parkview on Wednesday. The two teams faced each other March 30th, in a scoreless game that was decided by penalty kicks, with Nixa falling 4-5 in PK’s.

#3 Kickapoo Chiefs - 7
#6 Branson Pirates – 0
Marin Gelsheimer (pictured) scored a pair of goals, the first in the 7th minute as she buried a shot from 22 yards into the side netting and a similar goal in the 18th that skipped underneath a diving goalkeeper. Additional goals by McKenna Adams, Danielle Smulczenski (2), Casey Weitzel and Megan Manes provided the final margin.

The Chief’s get a rematch with the Glendale Falcon’s as a result, on Wednesday evening following graduation ceremonies early next week. Glendale has won the two previous games against Kickapoo, with a 4-2 win in March and 3-1 on Wednesday this week.

Wednesday’s Semifinals
The delay is due to the fact that Monday and Tuesday are graduation ceremonies for SPS schools
5:00 pm: #1 Parkview vs. #5 Nixa
7:00 pm: #2 Glendale vs. #3 Kickapoo

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