By Kai Raymer (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
True to their words, the Glendale Falcons never got rattled.
Glendale netted three goals in the final 20 minutes to rally for a 3-1 home victory over Carthage on Thursday night.
In a series featuring two of southwest Missouri’s top programs, the Falcons have now defeated Carthage in seven of the last 10 meetings dating back to 2012.
“The kids kept their composure. We played well and created opportunities all night long, finally got some shots to go through,” said Falcons coach Jeff Rogers.
Glendale leveled the match in the 64th minute.
Senior co-captain Mitch Stephens forced a turnover on Carthage’s end of the field, before placing a shot on frame that was deflected. Senior Clay Compere was in position for the finish.
“I looked up, saw space in the middle, looked to hit it,” Stephens said. “I got a deflection, and my teammate Clay picked me up.”
Only five minutes later, the Falcons went ahead 2-1 on a PK goal by Stephens. Senior Cole Eise created the PK opportunity by drawing a foul in the box.
“We showed a lot of character tonight, coming back,” Stephens said. “Nothing changed. We still played the same way. We have a good group. No one was scared when we went down 1-0. We fought back, got two goals, then it was nice to find a third goal late.”
Eise was an all-state defender in 2014 when Glendale was Class 3 runner-up, but missed the past two seasons with injuries.
Carthage struck first in the 59th minute, after a back-pass was called on Glendale.
Taking an indirect kick from about five yards out, John Navarrete fed Elder Reyes for an easy score.
“Our kids know, you don’t play a ball back to your keeper,” Rogers said. “I was surprised to see that call, but it is what it is.”
Carthage nearly had a chance to tie the match 2-all with about five minutes remaining.
Glendale’s goalkeeper dove to deflect a shot, but the ensuing rebound landed about six yards in front of an empty net. A hurried shot attempt on the rebound went well over the crossbar.
“I was pleased with our showing tonight, but, the last 20 minutes is where our inexperience kicked in,” said Carthage coach Jacob Osborne.
Carthage graduated 12 seniors from last season’s Class 3 state runner-up team. All-staters Reyes and Navarrete were among the few Carthage players with varsity experience entering this season.
“By late October, we’ll have a season under our belts,” Osborne said. “We’ll have time to grow. Now, up until then, it’s about taking steps forward each game instead of letting a night go by where you don’t get better. Tonight, I felt we got better.”
Glendale sealed the victory in the final minute with a goal from Ryan Feeney.
Carthage (3-2 overall) travels to Nixa on Tuesday, Sept. 5. Glendale (3-0 overall) travels to St. Louis this weekend for games against St. Louis University High (Friday) and Jefferson City Helias Catholic (Saturday).
Glendale 3, Carthage 1
Carthage 0 1— 1
Glendale 0 3 — 3
Second half
Carthage (57’) – Elder Reyes (John Navarrete)
Glendale (64’) – Clay Compere
Glendale (69’) – Mitch Stephens (PK)
Glendale (79’) – Ryan Feeney
Carthage JV 3, Glendale JV 1
