By Jordan Burton (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
It was a 40 minutes unlike any other Steve Fast had seen in 2018.
His Lady Liberators- winners of 15 straight games – watched as Webb City controlled much of the first-half action.
Playing in their first sectional game in program history, the Lady Cardinals pushed Bolivar to a zero-all tie at the half.
A blessing for Fast and company.
“It was probably our worst half of the whole season and yet we only gave up three shots, two of which were off a free kick,” said Fast. “But, for as off as we were, we were still in a 0-0 game. It was a rough half; we weren’t real sharp. We talked at halftime about just being us, getting back to our style and our system.”
Bolivar changed its intensity level in the second half, seemingly winning every free ball.
The game’s lone goal was scored in the 27th minute, a double assist from Rheagan Hancock to Allee Sheppeck before ricocheting off the right foot of Ally Hargis and finding the back of the net.
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE GAME
At this point in the season, when each game is about surviving and advancing, Bolivar’s experience – coupled with multiple season-ending injuries to Webb City starters late in the season – proved to be too much for the Lady Cardinals to overcome.
“We had a much better second half. It was a beautiful half for us,” said Fast. “We knew if we just played our style and got back to Bolivar Soccer, that we’d have a great chance of advancing.
“We’ve learned over the years just how to win games and that experience is just helping us. We’re tough back there defensively and we don’t give up many goals and so if we can get a few shots, we’ll have a chance to win.”
For Webb City, 2018 was a season of firsts. It was the first time the Lady Cardinals won at least 10 games, establishing a new program record with 14 wins. It was also the first time they’ve finished .500 in COC.
All that culminated in Webb City’s first district championship, with the Class of 2018 changing the culture of Webb City Soccer.
“This class has meant everything,” said Webb City coach Nick Harmon. “They’re truly a special group of girls. They’ve elevated this program to a whole new place than where it was. It’s a credit to them, for their hard work and dedication, but it also has created a bright future for our program and future teams can build off of what this group has done.”
Bolivar is back in the Elite Eight for the third straight season. Awaiting them in 20-1 Union, who beat Glendale 3-0 in Sectional play on Tuesday.
The Lady Liberators have accomplished nearly everything imaginable on a soccer field with the exception of a Final Four run. Fast is hoping his seniors – who are 71-15 over the last four years a can change that.
“It’d be fantastic,” said Fast. “I want it for the girls more than anything. We’ve never been there and I love these seniors to death. I’d love to send them out in style at the Final Four. We know we have a tough one coming up next but being at home and on the grass might work to our advantage.”
Bolivar will host Union on Saturday with the winner advancing to the Class 3 Final Four in Kansas City.
