By Levi Payton
CARL JUNCTION, Mo. — Relentless offense was the best defense for the Neosho girls soccer team on Wednesday.
Led by junior forward Ashley Talley, the Wildcats, a district runner-up each of the past two seasons, outshot Webb City 22-2 and outscored the Cardinals 2-0 to claim the program’s first district title in school history inside Bulldog Stadium at Carl Junction High School.
SEE PHOTOS FROM WEDNESDAY’S GAME
Neosho (17-6) travels to Bolivar to take on the Liberators in sectionals on Tuesday. Webb City, after winning its first district game in the program’s five-year history on Tuesday, finished 7-9 overall.
For Talley, who scored both Neosho goals, the victory came as a relief after falling short in two previous tries.
“It was a long time coming,” Talley said. “In the past, we’ve just never been able to pull it off. It felt good to finally do it. I’m ready for more, though.”
The Wildcats drew first blood with 26:14 left in the first half when Talley beat the keeper unassisted to give the Wildcats a 1-0 lead. Neosho maintained that lead, and a 12-0 shot advantage, at the half.
Talley’s second goal, a header off a free kick by junior Ashley Weems with 21:37 remaining in regulation, gave Neosho breathing room.
“Ashley just has that nose for the goal,” Neosho coach Steve Schnackenberg said. “I felt like we were (more aggressive). The last couple of games have been like that and we didn’t really do that to start the season.”
Cardinals coach Brad Reams said Talley proved tough to contain.
“They’re a quality team, lot of respect for them,” Reams said of the Wildcats. “They possessed the ball well and then (Talley) in the middle broke us down multiple times.
“They had a gameplan to get it to the flags and they were able to execute. A couple of mistakes cost us.”
Neosho keeper Makayla Hayes pitched the shutout, saving both shots the Cardinals put on goal, while two Webb City keepers combined to save 12 shots.
Reams said his team knew what to expect from its Central Ozark Conference foe.
“Definitely, we knew what their strategy was, to get it out wide, and we were able to track with that well,” Reams said. “But then we had a hard time containing (Talley).”
Stepping into unfamiliar territory, Schnackenberg said he’s excited about what’s in store for his team going forward.
“It’s been a long time coming,” said Schnackenberg, echoing Talley’s previous statement. “We’ve worked hard for it. We’ve been there year after year in this final game. It’s great that these girls put it together and we finally got it out.
“We don’t know a whole lot about (Bolivar), but we’re going to find out. We’re excited about going up there to play them. I’ve wanted to play them for a while.”
Neosho 1 1 – 2
Webb City 0 0 – 0
First Half
NEO–Ashley Talley 15:00.
Second Half
NEO– Talley (Ashley Weems assist) 60:00.
Shots–Neosho 22, Webb City 2.
