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By Kai Raymer (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
One day before Halloween, Jason Puente was once again the grim reaper to a promising Springfield Catholic season.
The three-time all-state selection scored twice, including the game-winner in the 72nd minute, as Monett upset top-ranked Catholic 2-1 on Tuesday night.
It’s the third time since 2015 that Monett has defeated Catholic in the sectional round. In each case, Catholic won the regular season meeting.
All three of Monett’s sectional wins have also occurred in Springfield.
“That’s the story. That’s what everyone’s been saying,” Puente said. “We beat them when it matters. I think every good player and every good team steps up in big games: in districts, in sectionals, at state. Good teams come up.”
Monett plays at Southern Boone County (Ashland) on Saturday afternoon in a quarterfinal matchup.
Catholic trounced Monett 4-0 in this year’s regular season meeting. The Irish seemed ready to repeat that outcome on Tuesday when they quickly capitalized on the opening kickoff.
The Irish lofted a long pass downfield to Calvin Sanders, who out-raced a defender to the ball and headed it in on the bounce before Monett’s goalie could make the save.
Eleven seconds into the game, Catholic led 1-0.
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“When we played in the regular season, Catholic came out fast and, gosh, scored two goals within 20 minutes,” said Monett coach Cristobal Villa. “That wasn’t something we couldn’t allow. Tonight, they do it in (11) seconds. So you’re like, ‘We talked about what we needed to do!
“But I’d rather give up that first goal at the beginning of the game than toward the end of the game. We had a lot of game ahead of us and we just had to stay composed.”
Puente scored the equalizer in the 35th minute when he outmuscled a defender to gain control near the left corner, dribbled in toward the box, then slid a shot on the ground that went inside the far post.
Catholic, the No. 1-ranked team in the Class 2 state coaches’ poll, nearly gave up an own-goal in the 66th went an deflection hit their own goalpost.
Puente’s game-winner saw him get by a defender on the edge with speed, regain possession near the middle of the box and convert from there.
“I’ve said this since his freshman year: I’ve not see a better player come through a program, including the Class 4 level,” Villa said. “He just figures it out. He’s on another level.”
Puente celebrated the go-ahead goal by mimicking UFC star Conor McGregor’s trademark strut.
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“Honestly, I was thinking of (a celebration) on the bus ride here. I was thinking, ‘Which should I do?’ Everyone was like, ‘Do this!’” Puente said. “It was exciting. I was visualizing myself scoring and then doing the celebration.”
Villa praised Monett’s backline and midfield players. The Cubs have always been a dynamic offensive team, but their defense has improved significantly this season.
Monett’s recorded seven shutouts this season, and allowed one goal in eight other matches.
“Our defense is getting better and better each game,” Villa said. “When we played (Catholic) in the regular season, we struggled. Tonight, we made less mistakes, we were on our toes, we were fighting for 50-50 balls and we weren’t making dumb plays.”
Monett’s quarterfinal opponent, Southern Boone, beat the Cubs in the same round in 2015 and 2017.
