Lady Tigers Rebound to Win Branson Tournament

The Republic girls soccer team bounced back from an 0–3 start to win the Lady Pirate Classic in Branson with three straight victories. After losing to Glendale during the week, Republic defeated Monett, Lighthouse Christian and Bolivar during the weekend tournament.
Glendale 2, Republic 1
Glendale took advantage of an early penalty kick and held off Republic for a 2–1 win Tuesday. Caroline Carr converted the penalty with 35:51 left in the first half, giving Glendale a lead that stood through halftime.
Harlow Chambers made it 2–0 midway through the second half before Cadence Lugar scored for Republic with 49 seconds remaining. Goalkeeper Awbree Berning recorded 11 saves to keep Republic within striking distance.
“The biggest thing is we can’t give up those penalty kicks beginning in every game,” coach Jesus Zuniga said. “That puts us in a hole early… then the girls battle the whole time.”
Republic 8, Monett 0
Republic’s offense erupted in an 8–0 win over Monett to open the Lady Pirate Classic. Adison Gibbs notched a hat trick and Macey Mitchell added two goals as Republic controlled the match throughout.
Berning preserved the shutout with a penalty kick save, and Republic scored five first-half goals to put the game away early. Claire Redman, Bria Claxton and Andie Wistrom also scored, with Wistrom netting her first varsity goal.
Republic 2, Lighthouse Christian 1
Claire Redman’s goal with 20:19 left lifted Republic to a 2–1 win over Lighthouse Christian in Saturday morning’s semifinal. Playing against her former team, Redman’s 25-yard strike broke a 1–1 tie.
After Lily Ray gave LCA an early lead, Mitchell tied the score with 16:01 left in the first half. Berning made several crucial saves to keep the match even.
“I knew I needed to get a goal for my team,” Redman said of her game-winner. “I took it down the side, decided I was going to try and take it one-v-one, took a big touch and shot it with my left.”
Republic 2, Bolivar 0
Republic claimed the tournament title with a 2–0 win over Bolivar Saturday afternoon. Wistrom scored late in the first half, and Gibbs added an insurance goal with 18 minutes remaining.
“Just proud of the girls to be able to rally behind one another after starting the season 0–3,” said Zuniga. “It’s not easy to play three games in a span of 24 hours.”
Republic finished the weekend with a 3–3 record and will play at Ozark on April 1.