By Denise Tucker (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Republic Tigers head coach Jesus Zuniga described the 2023 season as “a season of growth.”
After finishing 5-19 overall in his first season, the Tigers doubled their win total in 2023 by going 10-14 overall and 2-7 in the Central Ozark Conference. The outcome, in part, came from Zuniga’s challenge to his young team.
“Not a player raised his hand, (but they) expressed that they wanted to compete and have a better year than the previous,” Zuniga said of when he asked his team if it ‘had fun’ winning just five games the season before. “Whether ‘better’ is determined by wins or losses, moral victories, or character growth, each individual had their own definition of better.”
The Tigers graduated 43.75 percent of their assists and 70.37 percent of their goals from last year. Zuniga expects these areas to be filled, and hopefully, those numbers increased.
“We have a very young team, and where some coaches may view this as a cautionary area, I am excited to see our underclassman hold our upperclassman accountable and not let them become complacent,” Zuniga said. “There is a healthy competition for a new starting 11, and it has been made clear that several spots are available. The intensity and work rate of several of these boys this summer has been nothing short of respectable and admirable. Our new coaching staff has been impressed with what they have seen thus far.”
Returning varsity players include seniors Diego Zuniga and Miles Thomas, juniors Isaac Vermule, Elijah Phiri and sophomore Koal Williams.
Diego Zuniga, senior midfielder/forward, returning captain – Scored 10 goals with 13 assists; named Class 4 All-District 5 Honorable Mention. “Diego has been a varsity starter since I took over the program,” Zuniga said. “Last year, he started and played in all 24 matches. Diego did a great job facilitating our midfield last year, and we will look for him to continue to help in our midfield, but also help replace some goal scoring from last year. Diego displayed efforts on defense last year, registering a block to not only add stats to his offensive success, but also his defensive efforts.”
Miles Thomas, senior, defender/midfielder – 1 goal; Class 4 All-District 5 Honorable Mention selection. “Miles is another senior who has started in varsity matches since I’ve had the pleasure of taking over the program. Miles is another player who has been a staple of our midfield, but more of a defensive midfielder who has great vision and understanding of the game. Miles is a bright individual who sees things before they occur, whether it is offensively or defensively. Every team needs a player who is willing to work their tail off without receiving any credit. Miles is this type of player, for our program.”
Isaac Vermule, junior midfielder/defender – 1 goal, 5 blocks. “Isaac is a player who started the season in the midfield and found himself starting several games as a center back toward the end of the season. Isaac will play a very similar role this year. This summer, he has shown that he is fully capable of being a lockdown defender, but has shown great offensive upside when playing in the midfield and forward. Isaac is a player who leads by example.”
Elijah Phiri, junior, defender/forward – Led team in blocks (13). “Elijah and Isaac played several games together as center backs and have built chemistry. Elijah will be a multi-sport athlete in the fall, balancing soccer and football. Prior to an injury in his freshman season, Elijah played on the wing for us. Elijah is a big presence on the field, and we may look to push him forward at times.”
Koal Williams, sophomore, goalkeeper/forward/defender – 1 goal, 2 assists, 4 blocks. “Koal proved to be an extremely versatile player at the varsity level last year, even as a freshman. He started the year as a forward, played significant minutes on the back line, was placed in goal as a starting goalkeeper, and even earned minutes in the midfield. Koal was voted as the Varsity Most Improved Player of the Year last year, by his teammates. Koal is another player who has looked great this summer. He has competed in Goalie Wars this summer and has been invited to the national tournament. Koal will battle for the starting goalkeeper position, while also helping the team on the field this year.”
Continuing to see growth is No. 1 for this group, Zuniga said.
“Most will look at the scoreboard, but we are continually learning to figure out who we are as a program, and with new leadership, an identity is starting to become present,” Zuniga said. “With the addition of two new assistants, it will be fun to see the players show our new staff our standards and expectations, on and off the pitch.”
Zuniga noted several players who got varsity minutes last season and have worked hard this summer in the gym, at open field and summer sessions.
Caleb Miclea, senior, forward – “Caleb registered one shot and one shot on goal as a junior but was a key contributor to the offense on our JV team last year,” Zuniga said. “He has looked great this summer with his pace and showing his ability to shoot with both feet. Caleb will be a major component to our attack this year.”
Porter Bollinger, senior, defender/forward – “Porter was brand new to soccer last year, previously playing football during his high school career. Porter’s teammates on the JV team voted him as Most Improved Player of the Year. Porter is a very athletic and strong student-athlete who wants to put the team first. If we need a defender, he will lock attackers down (played defense last year), but if we need pace up top to wear opponents defense out, he can do that as well.”
Mason Tackett, junior, defender/forward – Mason had one goal and one assist at the varsity level, while also being voted the JV MVP, by his teammates, scoring plenty of goals as a forward for our junior varsity team.”
Mason Makoski, junior, midfielder/defender – “Mason Makoski played in five varsity matchups last year, and was another midfielder who had a vital role in our junior varsity’s success. Mason can play on the backline or help in the midfield. Mason could see minutes in the backline or midfield, but will be a defensive presence for our team this year.”
William Pinnell, junior, forward – “While playing varsity for nine halves, William was able to score twice and add 2 assists. William was a huge offensive threat on JV last year, and proved he could be dangerous at the varsity level.”
Isaiah Redman, sophomore, midfielder – “Isaiah started earning varsity minutes more frequently toward the end of his freshman season. He started 2 games and played in 14 of the varsity matches. Isaiah is a player that does all the things that a coach looks for, but doesn’t show up on a stat sheet.”
Other players who saw varsity minutes last year, or could see some this season, include Sam Richardson, junior midfielder; Kaden Fisher, sophomore defender; Logan Renkoski, sophomore defender/forward; Dylan Garrison, sophomore defender; Ben Roe, sophomore, goalkeeper; Maddox Aldridge, sophomore defender; Josh Hart, sophomore defender/forward; Landon Otero, sophomore midfielder/forward/defender.
“Our group is very intelligent, academically, and wants to learn the game,” Zuniga said. “These young gentlemen are constantly asking questions on how to improve their game, not only for themselves, but how to help their teammates.”
Republic will look to fill the void left by eight graduates, including all-region honoree Santino Stiglianese and all-district selection Xavier Ulshafer.
Santino Stiglianese, forward/midfielder – Class 4 All-Region 3, Class 4 All-District 5 first team, All-Central Ozark Conference first team. “Santino was a huge part of our offense last year, contributing to 2/3 of our goals scored with 32 goals and 4 assists,” Zuniga said. “Santino will be playing at Drury University this upcoming year. Santino was one of our three senior captains last year and teammates voted Santino as the Varsity MVP and Varsity Offensive Player of the Year.”
Xavier Ulshafer, goalkeeper – Recorded 163 savesClass 4 All-District 5 honorable mention, All-Central Ozark Conference first team. “Xavier was one of our three senior captains last year. Teammates voted Xavier as the Co-Defensive Player of the Year and he earned the Tiger Award, an award given to ONE player who did the most for the team, representing our team and school in the proper manner, on and off the pitch. He was a player that teammates felt his actions and words were someone that made them feel comfortable saying he represented them. Xavier will be attending Drury University while balancing soccer as well.”
Brayden Tharp, midfielder – 1 goal, 4 assists. “Brayden played a pivotal role in our midfield during my first two years as head coach. Brayden is the type of player to do all the hard work that does not get the glorified stats, but he made his presence known the last two years. Brayden was another one of our three senior captains last year.”
Michael Argo, defender – “Mikey played in all 24 games last year but started in 15. He had the second most blocks as a defender and helped our backline with 7 blocks, but also helped our attack with 2 assists.”
Will Brock, defender – “Will started in 16 of the 18 games he played in last year. He had three blocks to help our backline and would fill in for our captains if one had to miss a game. Teammates voted Will as the Co-Defensive Player of the Year.”
Kleber Perez, forward/midfielder – 2 goals, 1 assist, 1 block; started in 21 of the 24 games.
Dakota Thompson, defender – Started 10 games and played in 21, 2 blocks.
Mason Cole, forward/midfielder – 3 goals, 3 assists. “Mason was a multisport athlete that was balancing football and soccer at the same time.”
“The senior class of 2024 will always be a special group as several, if not all of them played significant minutes for me in my first two years of being a head coach,” Zuniga said. “They have helped lay a foundation of what is going to be something great for the years to come. The wins and losses don’t give a true display of the amount of growth this senior class displayed in my first two years and their last two years of high school soccer.”
The Tigers will be participating in a jamboree with Parkview, Central and Ozark before opening the regular season at home against Waynesville on Aug. 25.
“With the addition of new teams to our conference, Lebanon is an opponent we have not played since 2017. I’m looking forward to this matchup,” Zuniga said. “We have had to revamp our schedule a bit and have entered the Webb City Shootout and Parkview Shootout. I’m looking forward to the Webb City Shootout, as it will be an early test to see our strengths, and continue to build on those, while also identifying our weaknesses.”
