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By Kai Raymer (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Rock Bridge’s Payton McCallister and Caroline Cole were a priority in Kickapoo’s game plan.
But as Chiefs coach Phil Hodge said afterwards, sometimes good players simply make plays.
McCallister had two goals, including a header off a beautiful cross from Cole, as Rock Bridge prevailed 2-1 Tuesday night in a Class 4 sectional match at Kickapoo High School.
“I thought we had our girls set up defensively pretty well, for what (Rock Bridge) was trying to do,” Hodge said. “We were focusing a lot on (Cole), and then (McCallister) steps up and makes a play.”
McCallister converted a penalty kick in the 66th minute for the eventual game-winner. She got by her defender and into the box, before being dragged down to prevent a close shot attempt.
Kickapoo ends its season 15-9-1 overall. The Chiefs graduate a seven-player senior class that includes Drury signee Lily Simphaly-Ragsdale.
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“We left it all on the field,” Simphaly-Ragsdale said. “All the seniors, all the other players… everyone.”
The Bruins (18-5-1 overall), who also beat Kickapoo 2-1 in late March, host Lee’s Summit West in the quarterfinals this Saturday. LSW (21-1 overall) thumped Nixa 5-0 in another sectional match Tuesday night.
Kickapoo tied the game in the 51st minute on Corinne Edelen’s free kick from nearly 40 yards out. While Edelen was credited for the goal, sophomore Ellie Miller crossed in front of the goalie at the last second and may have deflected the shot through.
The equalizer came about a minute after Rock Bridge went up 1-0. Cole, Rock Bridge’s speedy midfielder, broke free on the left side and sent a cross to McCallister.
McCallister finished it with a header. She’s signed with Southern Illinois for basketball.
“I don’t know what the specific stats are behind that, but within five minutes after a goal you see (another goal) all the time,” Hodge said. “Credit our kids. It’s easy to hang your head and feel sorry for yourself, but they battled and we gave ourselves a chance.”
Kickapoo created multiple scoring chances in the final 20 minutes of the first half.
Jalyn McClean, battling illness throughout the day, gave the Chiefs a spark off the bench with a pair of shots on goal. The Chiefs also drew three corner kicks.
“We really liked how we played in the first half,” Hodge said. “We just couldn’t find one.”
Kickapoo’s 2018 season highlights include the program’s first Ozark Conference title in 13 years and the 16th district championship overall.
Simphaly-Ragsdale said Kickapoo’s play improved once the Chiefs shifted from a 3-2-3-2 formation to a four-defender look. The senior is familiar with positional changes. She played every position but goalie during her four-year varsity career.
“We accomplished so much,” Simphaly-Ragsdale said. “I really didn’t think that we’d come this far, but to actually have it happen before my eyes, it’s amazing. All the girls have progressed, and it’s made the team so much better.”
