There’s little room for error at state, especially against the team that’s sat atop the Class 2 state rankings all season, John Burroughs.
The Bombers (20-4 overall) scored twice in the opening 20 minutes of Saturday’s Class 2 state title match at World Wide Technology Soccer Park in Fenton, then added two more goals in the second half for extra insurance.
At least two of John Burroughs’ goals were aided by Monett defensive lapses, as the Cubs struggled to clear the ball from the box throughout the match.
“A good team like (John Burroughs), they don’t need anything for free,” said Monett coach Cristobal Villa.
In the 13th minute, a John Burroughs cross was initially knocked away by Cubs goalkeeper Cameron Cody. Monett couldn’t clear on the ensuing rebound, and John Burroughs’ Ian Bradley swooped in for the score.
Bradley’s shot hit underneath the crossbar, and play continued for a few seconds before officials ruled the ball had crossed the line.
“That first goal, gosh… to us, it didn’t go in,” Villa said. “It was the referee’s call, we respect that. It could’ve gone the other way. At the same time, there were a few goals we could’ve prevented.”
Seven minutes later, with the ball rolling around in the Monett box amid traffic, John Burroughs’ Mark Rush found Andrew Plax for a goal that made it 2-0.
“We let it bounce in the box. We couldn’t clear,” said Monett captain and defender Jose Cecenas. “That’s what cost us. Not that they beat us on the plays, back and forth, we just couldn’t clear the ball and that’s what cost us.
“It’s the finals. One mistake you make, it’ll cost you.”
PHOTOS: MONETT VS. JOHN BURROUGHS
Monett had its chances, though.
Junior midfielder Adrian Moncivaiz hit post from about 20 yards out in the 31st minute. Later, the Cubs took a direct kick near the penalty and nearly scored off a set piece.
Monett had another glimpse in the 57th minute when leading scorer Jason Puenete got by his defender on a give-and-go with Carlos Izaguirre, but Puente’s shot was stopped on a diving save by Bombers goalkeeper Charles Wunderlich.
“We were trying to look for it,” Villa said. “I knew we weren’t going to be as organized in the back because we were trying to get that (goal). (John Burroughs) held us pretty good, then they got that third goal and we couldn’t get back in it.”
The Bombers added second-half goals from Mark Rush (43’) and Josh Worsham (67’) to ultimately put away Monett. Worsham’s goal came on a direct feed down the middle as the Bombers bounced a ball over the head of Monett’s back-line defender, opening up a one-on-one with Worsham and the Monett goalkeeper.
BOX SCORE: MONETT VS. JOHN BURROUGHS
Monett finishes 19-7-1 overall. The weekend in Fenton marked the first state final four appearance in program history for the Cubs, who also reached the state quarterfinals for the first time last season.
An ascending program both locally and statewide, Monett returns three of its top four scorers next season. The Cubs graduate seven seniors, including starters Cameron Cody (GK), Juan Salas (D), Carlos Izaguirre (F, 15 goals, 11 assists) and Fernando Belloso.
“Every year, we always give that extra step (in the offseason),” Villa said. “Now that we know how to get the door open, now that we know how to get here, it’s going to be on us for us to get here. Hopefully we continue to be here.”
Monett had a few hundred purple and gold-clad fans on hand for Saturday’s match against John Burroughs, which is located in St. Louis County.
“It was amazing how many people came,” Cecenas said. “Four-hour drive and who knows how many people here. It was needed. That shows how much our community cares.”
