By Don Eskins/For OzarksSportsZone.com
The Rogersville Lady Wildcats knocked off the Parkview Lady Vikings 1-0, at Parkview High, on Thursday afternoon. For the Cats the victory was a sweet one. But then, the first one always is.
After an opening season 2-2 tie against Willard, in a game called early due to storms in the area, followed by a narrow 1-0 loss to Republic and a 4-2 loss to Springfield Catholic, the winless Wildcats were ready for Thursday afternoon’s victory.
“Getting a win today feels great,” said Wildcat head coach Brett Wubbena. “I don’t feel like we played our best game today though by any means. With so much rain the field made for a lot of sloppy play. But nonetheless, our girls got it done.”
PHOTOS: ROGERSVILLE VS. PARKVIEW
Rogersville got on the scoreboard early on a score from freshman Sophia Nixon.
“The ball bounced off the Viking’s goalie,” Nixon said. “I was waiting for the rebound so I just kicked it in for the score. It was a great feeling to put my team out in front that early in the game.”
“As a freshman Sophia is playing really well,” said Wubbena. “I’m looking forward to seeing just how well she does in the future.”
Nixon’s goal proved to be all the Wildcats would need as they held on to down the Vikings 1-0.
After giving up an early goal to the Wildcats, the Vikings got some stellar play from goalie Rosie Cipperoni. Cipperoni made some great saves throughout the remainder of the game to keep the Vikes within striking distance of the Wildcats.
But for the Vikings, who looked promising in a 2-1 double overtime loss to the Republic Lady Tigers on Tuesday, the defeat was a tough one to absorb.
“Yeah I’d have to say this loss was very disappointing. We just got off to a bad start and were never able to recover,” said Parkview head coach Shelby Stewart. “This one makes us 0-4 and that’s something we don’t want to be.”
“But I keep telling our girls that we’re very young and still learning,” the Viking coach said. “We just need to keep playing hard, to get more experience and to make sure that we’re as ready as we can be by the time post season play gets here.”
Rogersville, 1-2-1 overall, will next take on Bolivar on Tuesday, April 4. “They’re going to be a big test for us,” Wubbena said. “They knocked out of sectionals last year. We want to be ready for this one for sure.”
The Vikings will get another opportunity to break into the win column on Monday- April 3, when they travel to Rolla.
It will be a full week of soccer for the Vikes who will also entertain Lebanon on Tuesday and Fair Grove on Thursday. On Friday, April 7, they’ll be hosting their own ‘Viking Soccer Tourney.”
