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By Kai Raymer (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Jason Puente overheard the pregame chatter coming from the other side.
In four previous meetings with Springfield Catholic, including a 3-0 loss earlier this season, Monett’s record-setting junior had not registered a goal.
“I didn’t like the way they said that, so that just got me fired up,” Puente said. “So I came into this game knowing I WAS going to score. I wasn’t going to come up empty and I wasn’t going to let my team down.”
Puente delivered on his promise, scoring a spectacular goal in the 31st minute to lift the Cubs to a 1-0 win on Catholic’s home field.
The outcome sends the Cubs into the Class 2 quarterfinal round for the third straight season. They’ll host Southern Boone this Saturday in a rematch of a 2015 quarterfinal meeting won by the Eagles.
Monett beat Boonville in the quarterfinals last season to reach the state final four for the first time in program history.
“We’re making a name for ourselves. We’re making a tradition,” said Monett coach Cristobal Villa. “These boys have done a fantastic job… The way the team comes out and plays so hard, I’m blessed. I’m excited for this program and the future of it.”
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Puente scored in the 31st minute. After being denied on back-to-back shot attempts, he again won possession and, this time, beat two defenders before blasting a shot inside the far post.
“I just saw an opening and took it,” a modest Puente said.
According to the Monett Times, Puente now has 48 goals this season and 137 overall for his career, putting him at No. 3 on Missouri’s all-time list for the category.
Catholic nearly scored the equalizer midway through the second half. An Irish breakaway led to a clear look at the goal from about 15 yards, but the one-timer shot went wide.
“We missed an open goal,” said Catholic coach Mike Hines. “The best player on the field missed an open goal. That’s soccer.”
Monett was the aggressor throughout the first half, despite going against a heavy wind. In the 19th minute, Andres Cecenas’ free kick was headed on frame, forcing Catholic sophomore goalkeeper Nick Gomez to make the save.
The Cubs had a similar opportunity in the 33rd minute, moments after Puente’s goal, that would’ve made it 2-0.
Catholic found an opportunity for the equalizer in the waning moments of the first half on a breakaway, but was unable to convert. Despite the wind advantage, Catholic had limited scoring opportunities in the first half.
“We knew the wind would die down in the second half, so we were glad to have it on our back in the first half,” Hines said. “We just didn’t play with the energy that we should have. Monett out-worked us in the first half.”
Catholic beat Monett 3-0 on its home field earlier this season. Following that up with losses to Kickapoo and Glendale, the Cubs (22-5 overall) have since won 12 straight.
“It was a mistake-free game tonight,” Villa said. “We came here to rep (Monett) and run 80 minutes non-stop. We’re here to work as a team and we did it tonight.”
Catholic finishes 18-5 overall. The Irish, who started six sophomores in the game, graduate five seniors: Andrew DeVoss, Michael Zolfaghari, Andrew Olson, Kaueh Huttenlocher and Zach Straus.
“They’re high-quality guys and they will be missed,” Hines said. “Hate to see them leave.”
