Lady Tigers lose 2-of-3 in advance of COC Play

The Republic soccer team finished its final week of non-conference play with three games against Springfield schools, losing two and winning one.
Republic opened the week Monday with an 8-0 loss against Kickapoo. After a close first half in which Kickapoo built a 1-0 lead, Republic came out strong and threatened to even the score early in the second. But a second goal by Kickapoo opened the flood gates. The Lady Chiefs scored another goal less than a minute later, and added five more after that to finish the game early.
Wednesday at home, Republic held its own while playing into the teeth of a 25-mile-an-hour wind in the first half, then came from behind with the wind at its back to beat Jefferson City 3-1. The Lady Jays scored a single goal in the first half and held the 1-0 lead until midway through the second half. But McKena Argo passed the ball to Cadence Lugar in front of the goal, and Lugar drilled a spinning left-footed shot into the back of the net to tie the score.
“That one was pretty important for us,” coach Kevin Hauck said of the win. “We had a couple games this year where we’ve been around the goal and haven’t been able to finish, and the first half started off that way for us. But at halftime, we talked about being patient and calming down and continuing to pursue the goal, and finally we were able to break through.”
About 10 minutes later, Lugar scored off a rebound to give Republic the lead for the first time. And as Republic ran out the clock, they got one more score from Aylora Crowe, with Lugar assisting.
Friday in Springfield, Republic and Springfield Catholic were all even for most of the night, but the Irish scored two goals in the final 10 minutes to win on their home turf, 2-0.