By Kai Raymer (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Not even a quarter of the way into its season, Ozark viewed Tuesday night’s match at Glendale as a potential turning point.
The Lady Tigers, amid an early season gauntlet, wanted to avoid a 1-4 start.
Junior Ashley Mallonee delivered a much-needed win for Ozark with a go-ahead goal in the 66th minute. Ozark (2-3 overall) held on the rest of the way and prevailed, 2-1.
“We needed this,” said Ozark coach Chris Shull. “We needed this win for us. Just like everyone else, we’re battling injuries but we needed this win. They earned it. I’m very happy.”
Mallonee’s goal came off a cross from senior Shannon Murphy.
“That was huge,” Shull said. “We need to start spreading (scoring) around.”
Entering Tuesday night, Glendale (3-1 overall) had only conceded one goal over three matches.
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“We played a little bit different formation to try to keep an eye on (Ozark leading scorer) Jadyn (Easley) – she’s just a handful,” said Glendale coach Jeff Rogers. “I thought, overall, we just had some miscommunications. Especially on that second goal.”
Since beating Battle 4-1 in its season opener, Ozark had suffered losses to Hickman (3-1), Rock Bridge (3-1) and Springfield Catholic (2-0).
“We felt like some of the games in the past we outplayed teams, we just couldn’t get it done,” Shull said. “We’d have breakdowns in the back or problems finishing. We’ll take this one. Glendale’s a heck of a team. They’re young and scrappy.”
Ozark struck first in the 5th minute when senior midfielder Keeley Combs made a pass up field to Jadyn Easley for a long breakaway goal. Easley’s two goals away from becoming Ozark’s all-time leading goal scorer.
Glendale drew even in the 31st minute off an Emma Miller free kick from about 25 yards out.
Glendale freshman goalkeeper Taylor Thompson preserved the tie by stopping an Ozark penalty kick in the 37th minute.
“That gave us some momentum,” Rogers said.
Thompson was one of six freshmen in Glendale’s starting lineup. Both teams had players leave with injuries during the match.
“It’s just (about) getting them used to the grind of a high school season,” Rogers said. “You’re seeing a lot of ice and things like that. Overall, I thought we competed well. There will be some things we work on going forward.”
Glendale fell to 3-1 overall. The Falcons previously beat Republic, Nixa and Central.
“When you lose early in the year, you learn from it,” Rogers said. “So I’m OK with that. I had a lot of disappointed kids over there after the game. From a coaching standpoint, that’s what you want to see.”
It’s a quick turnaround for Glendale. The Falcons host Springfield Catholic on Wednesday night.
Both Ozark and Glendale will compete at the Parkway Showcase in St. Louis this weekend.
