As they snacked on postgame cupcakes (in celebration of teammate Jalyn McClean’s birthday), Edyn King and Alyson Reinold went into detail on the pivotal play of the game.
In summary, sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good.
Reinold’s corner kick missed its target but everything was fine because no one was paying attention to King, who got enough of a touch on the ball to score the game’s lone goal.
The goal, in the 62nd minute, was enough for Kickapoo as it held on for a 1-0 victory over Ozark in a matchup of two teams likely to play in the Class 4 District 10 title game next month.
“It’s a big step for us because this is probably the hardest we’ve played this season, against any team,” King said. “We know going into districts that it’s going to be good competition, because I know (Ozark) will want to win next time.
“We’ve been thinking about (this game) all day.”
Reinold, who takes the majority of Kickapoo’s set pieces, actually missed her mark on the corner kick that led to King’s goal by serving the ball a few feet in front of the near post.
“I try to look for the PK mark and try to find the open spot,” Reinold said. “Obviously, I didn’t do that there but it still worked.”
Added King: “I saw (Reinold) and I saw there was a huge space and I was like, ‘Come on, Al. Come on, Al. Nobody was on me but the goalie.”
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE GAME
Ozark coach Tom Davidson praised Kickapoo’s hustle and effort. The outcome snapped a seven-game winning streak for the Tigers (12-3 overall).
“There’s a couple of things we talked about yesterday that we didn’t get done tonight,” Davidson said. “I was a little disappointed in that. Overall, the effort wasn’t bad. I did think (Kickapoo) outplayed us hustle-wise – I thought they were coming to the ball a little harder than we were.”
Both sides had limited scoring opportunities. The Chiefs threatened twice in the opening 20 minutes.
Lily Simphaly-Ragsdale’s shot in the seventh minute was deflected by Ozark keeper Ally Barb – who recently returned from injury – and the ball rolled inches shy of crossing the goal-line.
In the 18th minute, freshman Jalyn McClean drew post after gaining separation on a breakaway. McClean nearly iced the game in the 71st minute with another breakaway, but her shot carried wide.
“Edyn and Alyson, two seniors made a play and it ended up being the difference tonight. It’s what we worked on in practice (Wednesday), so it’s good to see that,” said Kickapoo coach Phil Hodge.
One of Ozark’s best scoring opportunities occurred in the 24th minute. Baily Summers’ free kick was headed on-frame by Lily Axtell, but Kickapoo goalkeeper Ari Acuff was in position for the save.
In the 29th minute, Acuff came up with another key save after Ashley McCulloch got off a clean shot amid traffic in the box.
“We had a couple of good looks, and in this game, that’s all you’re going to get,” Davidson said. “I’ve been harping on that all season. You’re going to get 20 good looks against a team we beat 8-0. But in these games, we’re going to get two.
“We’ve gotta be sharp when we get opportunities in games like this because we’re just not going to get many,” Davidson said. “Kickapoo’s very good defensively. That’s who they’ve been for three years now – they have a good goalkeeper, a good defense, and they transition on you.”
Kickapoo (11-3-2 overall) will take a needed break after playing six games in eight days. The Chiefs return to action Monday at Catholic and will play their final seven regular season games on the road.
“We’ve played a brutal schedule and it’s for moments like this: a district opponent who we may see again in the district tournament,” Hodge said.
Ozark plays at Nixa on Tuesday, April 25.
