By Staff

Fall 2019 Preview: Republic Soccer

By Kai Raymer (For OzarksSportsZone.com)

What Republic soccer may lack in experience, the Tigers will make up for with a competitive spirit and the hunger to prove themselves on the varsity level.

Republic graduated 13 seniors following last season. Most of the varsity players from Republic’s 2017 Class 3 final four team are now gone.

But overlook this year’s Tigers at your own risk.

“Even though we graduated a lot, I think this team has really good potential,” said Republic coach Kevin Hauck. “I feel a sense of excitement around them. They want to play and prove they deserve to be on the field.

“The competition will be fierce, and it will only make our team that much stronger. We should be competitive in all games and have a chance to win in the end.”

Republic must replace many starters, including its entire backline and goalkeeper.

Look for junior center back Kalem Murray (one goal, two assists) to lead the defense.

Sophomore goalkeeper Drake Lightfoot saw varsity action as a freshman while filling in for Republic’s injured starter. In six starts, Lightfoot went 5-1 with 10 goals allowed and 28 total saves.

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“His experience last year will help our new defense and give us strength in the back,” Hauck said.

Sophomore forward Marco Donjuan is Republic’s top returning scorer (11 goals) and one of the few Tigers with major varsity experience.

“We look for him to increase that goal total and bring our team scoring opportunities,” Hauck said.

The senior trio of Isaac Jordan, Holden Kendrick and Jackson McGuire will lead the Tigers in the midfield.

“Isaac is smart and has great field vision. He’ll have a bigger role for us this year,” Hauck said. “Holden really started coming on strong last year for us and earned some playing time. We see him being a key factor out wide for us in the midfield and giving us good opportunities to score.”

McGuire played a defensive role in the midfield last year but will have a bigger impact on offense this fall.

“He has become stronger on the ball and has good power and strength for passing and shooting out of the midfield,” Hauck said. “He will be a leader for us in the midfield.”

Republic finished 15-10 overall last season after losing 3-2 to Joplin in the opening round of districts. Seven of Republic’s 10 losses came by one goal.

Republic has graduation holes to fill in all areas of the field.

Gone are a two-time, all-state defender (Alex Leonard), an all-region goalkeeper (Dalton Ghan) and an all-region midfielder (Drew Flippin). The Tigers graduated most of their scoring.

Varsity newcomers to watch include junior Phil Mason and sophomores Will Fronabarger and Jabali Wanekaya. All three performed well on the JV last year.

“(Mason) is smart and knows the game of soccer,” Hauck said. “Will had a strong summer and we look for him to be a key contributor as a starter or off the bench.

“Jabali had a strong outing on the JV last year as well. He’ll bring strength and speed to our team as an outside mid.”

Republic opens the regular season August 30 at home against Waynesville.

“Our intelligence and love for the game will be our strengths,” Hauck said. “We will be a team that will not back down, we will go out and compete every night.

“It’s a fun group to be around and I love the energy I am getting from them this summer.”