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By John Miller (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Springfield, Mo. — Last year, the Willard Tigers ended Bolivar’s season in district play. On Wednesday night, the Liberators returned the favor.
Junior midfielder Andrew Lewis scored the game-winner in the 51st minute and sophomore keeper Trenton Arnold recorded a shutout as Bolivar beat Willard 1-0 in the Class 3 District 11 championship at John F. Kennedy Stadium.
“I loved our togetherness,” said Bolivar coach Steve Fast. “They talked to each other, they coached each other on the field, lifted each other up and encouraged each other. They just played well together.”
The district title is Bolivar’s first since 2011-12, when it defeated Rogersville 1-0 and advanced as far as the state quarterfinals.
Wednesday’s victory was also Bolivar’s second over Willard this season. The Liberators also beat Willard 3-1 a month ago.
“Our guys just play Willard really well,” said Fast. “Willard’s an outstanding team. They’ve had a great season this year. We knew we were going to have to play at the top of our game to get by them tonight.”
Willard dominated ball-control most of the night. The Tigers outshot Bolivar 13-7 and kept pressure on Arnold and the Liberators defense. But every time Arnold was tested, he was ready.
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“He was awesome,” Fast said. “One of the best games I’ve seen him play.”
After a scoreless first half, Bolivar put some scoreboard pressure on Willard early in the second. In the 51st minute, Lewis collected a pass right of the goal and volleyed it into the net.
“It was a perfect play by my teammates,” Lewis said. “We worked the ball down the field, and the ball was placed into the box. I knew to pound it up in the air. But the whole play was a team effort.”
Willard had three golden chances to equalize late but Arnold and the Bolivar defense answered each challenge.
In the 61st minute, Arnold used a diving stop to snuff an attempt from Bolivar’s Will Johnson. Eight minutes later, Jessee Owens had a look from the top of the box, only for Arnold to secure another lunging stop. In the 73rd, Shea Spirk tried to connect from 30 yards out, but his blast rose above the goal and hit the crossbar on the goalposts.
“He was great,” Lewis said of Arnold. “I couldn’t ask for a better goalkeeper.”
Added Fast: “On those big saves late, I just held my breath and thought, ’not now.”
Bolivar will now face Neosho in the Class 3 sectionals on Saturday.
