By Kai Raymer (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The last 30 days have brought out the best in the surging Glendale Falcons.
Five Falcons netted goals as Glendale dominated Lebanon 6-0 in Saturday’s Class 3 boys’ soccer sectional.
“We’re right where we want to be,” said Glendale coach Jeff Rogers. “We’re playing our best soccer right now.
Glendale senior and co-captain Aaron Baldwin led the way with two goals.
“We’ve been really trying to make it happen this postseason,” Baldwin said. “We found the back of the net. When we saw an opportunity to make it happen, we took it.”
The Falcons advance to the state quarterfinals for the third time in five years.
Glendale travels to Neosho on Tuesday, November 10 in a matchup of two teams ranked in the Top 5 (state coaches’ poll) of Class 3.
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE GAME
Neosho (19-1 overall) beat Bolivar 5-0 on Saturday. The Wildcats will be trying to advance to the Class 3 final four for the second straight season.
“I think it’ll be a great match,” said Glendale senior defender and co-captain Jack Gintz. “I know a lot of the players on that team. We haven’t seen much film on (Neosho) yet, but I know how good they are.”
Glendale (16-4 overall) controlled the match from start to finish against Lebanon. The Falcons went ahead 1-0 just two minutes in when Cooper Buzbee set up Baldwin for a goal.
“(Buzbee) played me the ball through and I was right there, so I just hit it with the toe and it caught the goalkeeper off guard and went in,” Baldwin said.
Hayden Casper scored an unassisted goal in the 15th minute. Glendale led 2-0 at intermission then put the game away with early second-half goals from Biak Lian (45’) and Alex Spence (56’).
Glendale has found its groove over the last four weeks.
Since a wild 5-4 overtime loss at home to Kickapoo on October 7, Glendale has won eight straight matches and outscored its opponents 36-0.
“We’ve been trying to keep it tight on defense back there; all balls out the first time,” Gintz said. “Just trying to fix any issues back there and keep it going during the postseason.”
Glendale limited Lebanon star Zach Richards by playing keep-away. The Falcons had a sizeable edge in possession and total shots; Richards got off a lone shot in the 36th minute.
“To eliminate that threat (Richards), you just try to control the game,” Rogers said.
Buzbee fueled Glendale’s gameplan on Saturday. The outside mid-fielder finished with two assists.
“He’s so dangerous,” Rogers said. “He’s had a phenomenal year for us. He’s that consistent player on the outside of the field, getting down and then creating offense by just putting balls in. Even if you don’t get a quality shot, you can still get a corner (kick) out of it or a restart or something.
“That was our goal coming in: To put (Lebanon) under so much pressure that they were having to defend so that Zach could be held in check.”
Lebanon finishes 17-9 overall. The Yellowjackets won their first district title in program history this season.
With a win on Tuesday, Glendale would reach the state final four for the fourth time since 2013.
“Going to state our senior year would be the best thing we (as seniors) could ask for,” said Falcons senior Pete Blaine, who capped off Glendale’s six-goal performance against Lebanon.
Glendale last made the final four in 2018; the Falcons beat Neosho in the quarterfinals that season. Glendale and Neosho haven’t played since then.
“For us, it’s mental,” Rogers said. “I think our kids have realized how precious the time is on the field. Each senior group we have wants to leave a legacy, including this one. We’ll lace ‘em up, go play in the quarterfinals against Neosho and see what happens.”
Glendale 6, Lebanon 0
Lebanon 0 0 — 0
Glendale 2 4 — 6
First half
Glendale (2’) – Baldwin (Buzbee assist)
Glendale (15’) – Casper
Second half
Glendale (45’) – Lian (Buzbee assist)
Glendale (56’) – Spence
Glendale (69’) – Baldwin (Spence assist)
Glendale (74’) – Blaine
