The dance party is buzzing for the Nixa Lady Eagles’ soccer team. Up next: the best dance floor of them all.
Nixa earned its biggest win in 12 years with a 1-0 victory over Blue Springs South in Saturday’s Class 4 quarterfinal match at Nixa High School. The victory sends Nixa to the state soccer final four for just the second time in program history; the Lady Eagles made their inaugural state appearance in 2013.
“It’s just an unreal feeling,” said Nixa junior Sam McClain, a co-captain and midfielder. “To be out there with my friends and win a game like that. We’ve lost to (Blue Springs South) twice in the last year. To win with my best friends today is just unreal.”
Like Tuesday’s district-title win over Kickapoo, Nixa danced off the field Saturday with a team griddy. Moments later, head coach Evan Palmer – the only head coach in the history of the Nixa soccer program – got down on the action.
“We asked (Palmer) in the locker room earlier if he’d griddy if we won today. He did, so we’re very happy for that,” said Nixa junior Shaelee Franck, who scored the only goal of the match midway through the second half.
While having the best roster in the area certainly helps, Palmer said the X-factor for Nixa this year has been intangibles.
“They’ve been doing the griddy for a while, and the first part of that word (sounds like) ‘grit.’ That’s what this team has: grit and determination,” Palmer said.
Franck netted the game-winner with a sensational goal in the 60th minute. With two defenders around her, she spun middle to gain space and unleashed a left-footed blast to the far post.
“I just took a turn, and that’s kind of a normal thing for me where I’ll turn and take a shot,” Franck said. “The goalie was on the right side, so I had that top left corner open. I just kicked it over toward there and made the goal.
“I knew I had one (defender) on me, and we didn’t really have anyone up here, so that’s why I just took the shot. I’m usually pretty good at those. I made one like that my freshman year at Ozark.”
The Lady Eagles will face powerhouse and defending state champion Cor Jesu Academy (20-1 overall) in the Class 4 semifinals. The match is scheduled for 4 p.m. Friday, June 6 at World Wide Technology Soccer Park in Fenton.
Cor Jesu Academy handed Nixa its worst loss of the season (5-0) in early May. The Chargers will be making their 11th appearance at the final four all-time.
It’s only final four No. 2 for Nixa. The Lady Eagles have won eight district titles since 2014 but haven’t been able to cash in with a final four trip until Saturday’s result.
“We’ve fought and fought so many years,” Palmer said. “There have been so many great players to come through here, so many great teams. We just couldn’t get by this (round) since 2013.”
Nixa’s backline was exceptional and reliable on Saturday, limiting scoring opportunities for a Blue Springs South squad (19-3 overall) that won the possession battle and was averaging four goals per match.
The Nixa defense and goalkeeper Taylor Wood now have 17 shutouts on the season. Outside of the Cor Jesu match, Nixa (21-2 overall) has only conceded eight goals.
“I just give props to my backline, especially Bria (Smith) and Bailey (Snyder),” McClain said. “They always do a fantastic job of communicating and moving together. Then, Kinzie (Harris) always does a fantastic job of holding (the attacker) off if they have a chance.”
Said Palmer: “They keep us in games, which gives Shaelee, Brooke and London and our other offensive attackers time to do what they do. We knew we would have to play disciplined, especially on defense. We were on them and didn’t give them an inch. That’s what it took today.”
Nixa played a road match at Blue Springs South two months ago and lost 3-0.
“We’ve grown as a team and learned how to play together,” McClain said. “Then, the mindset coming into today was, ‘This is either our last game, or we don’t want to lose and we want to keep going.’ Just knowing if we lose, we’re done, pushed us through.”
Nixa’s depth was also key. On a sunny day where temperatures reached the high 70s, the Lady Eagles subbed out some of their stars – including McClain, Franck, London Kirk and Brooke Teter – in the first half to preserve their energy for the final 40 minutes.
“I’m sure some people are apprehensive about that, but you have to be fresh at the end,” Palmer said. “If we don’t sub out Shae in the first half, she might not have had the energy to hit that ball the way she did. You have to (sub) them out, let them breathe a minute, get a drink, relax and refocus then get back in there.
“That’s what we try to do, and we do have that luxury. We’re deep. Those ladies off the bench have done an incredible job.”
Two years ago, Nixa lost in overtime to Kickapoo in the district finals. Last season, Nixa avenged the loss to Kickapoo but fell to Blue Springs South in the quarterfinal round.
The Lady Eagles got another case of revenge on Saturday.
“It’s awesome, I almost cried,” Franck said. “I’m very happy. I knew this team this year was probably our best chance to make it (to state). I’m just very happy to continue playing two more games with these girls next week.”
