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Republic’s first appearance in the Class 3 soccer final four did not go as planned with a 3-0 loss to Parkway Central.
The Colts scored just 1:16 into the game and never looked back.
“We came out with a lot more nerves than I expected. It definitely showed there at the beginning where they were able to get that quick goal on us and I think that made a huge difference,” Republic Coach Kevin Hauk said.
Parkway Central put its second goal in the back of the net at the 19-minute mark.
“They moved the ball well, but I think at the beginning we really sunk in way too much, (which) gave them the opportunity to bring up numbers on us. We are a much better team and play better when we put pressure on other teams and we just didn’t do that at the start of the game,” Hauk said.
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The Colts would add their third goal 4:44 into the second half to make the score 3-0. Republic struggled all afternoon to get anything going on offense. Parkway Central held Republic to just five shots on goal with all of those attempts coming in the first half. Meanwhile, the Colts peppered Republic with 16 total shots.
Star Republic senior Dylan Brown, who came in with 52 goals on the season, was held to four total shots on the day. He was battling a knee injury through the second half, but Hauk believes he will be good to play in the third place game.
The Tigers will face Harrisonville tomorrow in the consolation final. Harrisonville fell 4-3 to Washington in double overtime in the day’s first game.
“We came out with nerves but the good thing is that we have a game under us at the Final Four. We know what we have to do to raise our level of play. We know what we have to do tomorrow to come out and get a victory,” Hauk said. “I told them there is (one of) two things that will happen. You are going to end on a two-game losing streak or you are a going to end on a win. Only two teams in Class 3 get to end on a win tomorrow. We have a chance to bring home third, and I told them third is going to feel a lot better than fourth. We will refocus tonight and get after it tomorrow and hopefully end on a win.”
Republic and Harrisonville face off for third place at 10 a.m. on Saturday morning in Fenton, Mo.
