Nixa Eagles Soccer

The Nixa Lady Eagles played Hillcrest at the Nixa Community Center Monday evening. The Lady Eagles once again were able to score early and often.

Senior Stephanie Allen opened the scoring in the first minute, when she beat several Hillcrest defenders on the dribble. She then took on the goalie and beat her to her left for the early score. Freshman Kelsey Haist mimicked the play ten minutes later, when she beat several defenders and also was able to find the back of the net.

Allen again found the net in the 15th minute. Not to be out-done, Haist scored her second in the 38th minute. The half finished with Nixa leading 4-0.

Hillcrest showed some resolve to open the second half. #39 for Hillcrest was able to fight her way into the Nixa 18 box and scored in the 2nd minute of the half.

The final score would give Allen her hat trick, when sophomore Jo Pavlowsky took the ball down the middle of the field and into the 18 box. She rifled a shot off the cross bar. Allen was in the right position, collected the ball and easily beat the goalie.

Final Score
Nixa 5
Hillcrest 1

The Nixa Lady Eagles gained a lopsided win against first year program, Mountain View - Birch Tree on Friday night. The game was held in Moutain View.
According to the Springfield News-Leader, the scoring was as follows:

First half
Nixa — Stephanie Allen (Lauren Hillmer)
Nixa — Lauren Hillmer (Stephanie Allen)
Nixa — Jo Pavlowsky (unassisted)
Nixa — Vicki Rische (Kelsey Haist)
Nixa — Katie Bolton (Jacklyn Finley)
Nixa — Hannah Barber (Jacklyn Finley)
Nixa — Ashlyn Robillard (unassisted)
Nixa — Halie Owen (Chelsea Cole)
Second half
Nixa — Kelsey Haist (Luce Crim)
Nixa — Kelsey Bartell (unassisted)

Ten goals from ten different players. Way to go Lady Eagles.

Final Score
Nixa 10
MVBT 0

The Nixa Lady Eagles went to Bolivar on Tuesday evening to take on the Lady Liberators. The game was unfolding in a way that seemed all too familiar to Lady Eagle fans.

Nixa controlled most of the possession and had better scoring chances during the game. However, the Lady Eagles were having trouble finishing opportunities and it appeared as though another tough loss might be in store. But, Nixa decided that they would find a way to win this time and walked away from Bolivar with just what the doctor ordered. Throughout the game, play was more physical on scoring opportunities, set pieces, and corner kicks. Something that had been lacking. The Lady Eagles now have something positive to build upon.

Freshman Kelsey Haist played much of the game at Forward. She turned in an outstanding game, hustling all over the field, and controlling the ball. Late in the second half, in the 72nd minute, she gained possession to the right of the 18 yard box. Haist then proceeded to dribble to the left, across the box, as Bolivar defenders stayed between her and the goal. When she made her way to the far left of the goal the keeper came out to challenge the play. Haist was able to beat her on the dribble and shoot the ball to the open net.

Final Score
Nixa 1
Bolivar 0

The Nixa Lady Eagles travelled to Lebanon on Friday and Saturday. Nixa played in three games and had opportunities to win all of them. Instead, the Lady Eagles were unable to score for the entire tournament and found ways to lose every game. A loser’s mentality is difficult to overcome, once it has set in for a team. The lack of scoring seems to be attributable to this mentality. Attacking runs were frequently not finished and play in the box was not aggressive enough, as the team does not seem to have an expectation of success. Hopefully, Nixa will score a few goals and turn that behavior around.

The first game on Friday was against the Camdenton Lady Lakers. Camdenton opened the scoring in the 8th minute when Stephanie Kirvan (#4) was able to get behind the defense. Nixa goalie, Kristen Miller, came out high to challenge the play but was beaten on the dribble by Kirvan. Kirvan’s shot was deflected but Megan Manzer (#3) was hustling on the play and tapped the ball into the open net.

The second and final Lady Laker goal came later in the first half when a turnover in Nixa’s defending third allowed Kirvan (#4) to rifle a shot from 30 yards, along the right wing near the side line. The shot skipped on the wet turf and fooled Miller. It bounced under her hands and into the net for the final score.
Final Score
Nixa 0
Camdenton 2

The second game on Friday was played against Belleville, IL. The game winning goal was scored early by Belleville, in the 12th minute, when #18 received a cross in the 6 yard box and was able to finish the play. The second and final goal came from Belleville’s #7 on a Penalty Kick in the 78th minute.

Final Score
Nixa 0
Belleville, IL 2

The final game of the tournament was played Saturday morning against Fulton. This game was a heartbreaker, even for a team that has grown accustomed to losing. The Lady Eagles dominated play and possession. An estimated 75% of the game’s play was in Fulton’s half of the field. Nixa could not find a way to finish a goal however, and Fulton was able to score late on a break-away to gain the 1-0 victory.

Final Score
Nixa 0
Fulton 1

The Nixa Lady Eagles travelled to the Cooper fields in Springfield on Monday evening to take on perennial power Glendale. The Lady Falcons are a talented group of soccer players and also play very well as a team. The Lady Eagles played tough and hard, but were no match for the superior 1 v 1 skills, ball possession, and game intelligence demonstrated by the Lady Falcons.

Glendale opened the scoring in the 19th minute when freshmen Emily Cline (#25) separated herself from her defender at the top, right side of the 18 box, and with the space, shot with her left foot to the far side of the net. It was well-placed and beat Kristen Miller.

The Lady Falcon’s second goal came from sophomore Katie Brewer (#18) in the 35th minute. It was an arching ball shot straight on from 30 yards. It was a fortunate shot that travelled perfectly beyond Miller’s outstretched hands and just under the cross bar.

In the second half senior Lorin Opfer (#4) was the recipient of a beautiful ball played behind and between two Lady Eagle defenders. The pass was made by senior Ashleigh Dallas (#22) from near midfield. It was a sweet ball with just the right touch and placement.

The fourth Lady Falcon’s goal was earned by senior Megan Garrard (#6). It was a boot from the right side of the field, near the side line. Brewer struck the ball from 40 yards and it sailed over Miller and into the far side of the net.

Sophomore Karis Hefton (#2) scored Glendale’s fifth goal when a ball was struck into Eagle defender Hannah Barber. The ball bounced to Hefton in front of the goal and she calmly placed it into the back of the net.

The last goal of the night was scored by senior Megan Garrard (#6). It came on a PK. The PK was earned when a Lady Eagle committed a handball in the box.

Final Score
Nixa 0
Glendale 6

The Nixa Lady Eagles lost two games on Saturday at home in the Christian County Tournament. The two losses came in the winner’s bracket of the tournament, which placed them in fourth place.

The first game Saturday was against Harrison, Arkansas Lady Goblins. The conditions were cold, windy and damp. As has become a bad habit, the Lady Eagles were competitive, but unable to gain the victory. Nixa is developing an expectation of losing, and needs to learn to battle harder against adversity. After the Lady Goblins scored the first goal on a questionable Penalty Kick call, the Lady Eagles were deflated and quickly gave up another. Down 2-0, Nixa responded the way a coach wants. The sense of urgency was obvious and they quickly earned several scoring opportunities. But when the goals did not materialize right away, the Lady Eagles let up again and allowed another score by Harrison.
Final Score
Nixa 0
Harrison, AR 3

The second game Saturday was against the Lebanon Lady Yellow Jackets. The game conditions were again cold, windy and damp. And again, the Lady Eagles were on the verge of earning a victory, but unable to close the deal.
Final Score
Nixa 0
Lebanon 1

The Nixa Lady Eagles returned to winning form Friday night. The victory came at home against the Bolivar Lady Liberators in the opening match of the Christian County tournament. The conditions were cold and damp, but Nixa did not let that bother them and began the game with intensity.

The Lady Eagles put pressure on the Lady Liberators defense almost immediately. The play was physical as most loose balls were challenged hard by both teams. The first score came in the 12th minute when senior Lauren Hillmer played the ball from the left wing position into the box. The ball was received by freshman Kelsey Bartell, who beat the keeper for a 1-0 lead.

The second score came later in the first half, in the 34th minute, when fellow freshman Kelsey Haist dribbled the ball from her center mid-field position towards the Bolivar 18 box. She was able to beat her would-be defenders and get off a shot. The shot was on target. The unassisted play gave the Lady Eagles a 2-0 advantage.

The third and final goal of the night was also scored by Kelsey Haist. It came in the 38th minute and was very similar to her previous goal. Kelsey received the ball near the half line in the middle of the field. After a quick few moves, she found herself with plenty of room to attack the goal. The Lady Liberators retreated to mark other attacking Nixa players and left the ball relatively unguarded. Haist took full advantage of the mistake and drove the ball past the keeper for her second goal of the night.

It should be noted that Haist and fellow center mid-fielder Jo Pavlowsky both played outstanding. They controlled the middle of the field with tough play and were frequently able to attack the defense. If this young duo (Pavlowsky is a sophomore) can continue to develop, it bodes well for the remainder of the Lady Eagles’ season.

Final Score
Nixa 3
Bolivar 0

The Nixa Lady Eagles went to Kickapoo High School on Monday night to take on the Lady Chiefs. In many ways, it was a contrast between two local soccer programs. The Lady Chiefs have a rich tradition, and clearly have a pride in their program. It is evidenced by the lush pitch on which they play, wonderful practice field to train on, bannered benches for the players and coaches, corporate sponsorships, and club team trained players who must compete hard for varsity playing time.

Nixa, on the other hand, has played the last two years at a community rec. center, has no practice facility, and has few club players in its’ community. The Lady Eagles also have a young squad while the Lady Chiefs are loaded with upper class players.

Kickapoo used all of its advantages against Nixa Monday night, although the Lady Eagles opened strong and teased the crowd with their early play. The Lady Eagles defense was very well-organized for the first 25 minutes of play. Offside traps kept the Lady Chiefs’ forwards hesitant and weak-side defenders and outside midfielders marked players well. In the 25th minute, a shot along the endline by Kickapoo across the mouth of the goal bounced out of the outstretched finger tips of Kristen Miller. The ball landed in front the net and tapped in by #20, Junior Abby Anderson.

The first goal seemed to break the Lady Eagles focus and defensive organization. #11, Senior Chealsey Russell scored just 2 minutes later on a breakaway behind the Nixa defense. Again, just 2 minutes later, Russell scored. The fist half ended with Kickapoo leading 3-0.

The Lady Chiefs dominated play in the second half. #6 Senior Katie McLain scored off a corner kick in the 47th minute. Chealsey Russell earned a hat-trick in the 56th minute when she took a keeper punt behind the Lady Eagle defense and put it in the net. The final score came in the 79th minute by #18, Freshman McKenna Adams.

Final Score
Nixa 0
Kickapoo 6

The Nixa Lady Eagles lost to the Camdenton Lady Lakers Friday night at home, marking five losses in a row on the 2008 season. Again, the Nixa squad was competitive and with just a few breaks, could have won the game.

It did not take long for the Lady Lakers to open the scoring. In just the 3rd minute, #20 Latea LaRue fired a ball from inside the right elbow of the 18 box. The ball was driven low and bounced awkwardly high and over Kristen Miller, who was anticipating catching the ball near the ground.

Nixa tied the game later in the first half, when senior Jackly Finley took a restart about 15 yards inside the half line in the Lady Lakers half of the field. Camdenton stepped up high to not allow Nixa to position themselves inside the box. This strategy backfired however, as Finley placed the ball perfectly behind the Camdenton line and in front of their goalie. Several Lady Eagles players pounced toward the ball and Jo Pavlosky was able to strike it low and under the goalie to the back of the net. The first half ended tied at 1-1.

The only second half goal came on a bang-bang play by #3, Megan Manzer of the Lady Lakers. A long ball was played behind the pushed-up Lady Eagle defense. Manzer was able to out run the Nixa defense. Kristen Miller was also charging the ball and it appeared for a second to be a 50-50 ball. Manzer just beat Miller to the ball however, and was able to strike the ball low and under Miller to the left side of the net.

Final Score
Nixa 1
Camdenton 2

The Lady Eagles lost Thursday night to cross-county rival, Ozark 4-2. This marks the young team’s fourth straight loss. The game was hard fought on both sides, with the physical play that usually accompanies this rivalry.

The scoring was opened in the 30th minute when a shot from Ozark was rebounded by #10, Erica Hogan who tapped the ball into the open net. The first half ended with Ozark leading 1-0.

The second half began with Ozark pressing the Lady Eagles. Nixa was not able to match their first half intensity in the first 5-10 minutes of the second half and the Tigers took advantage of it. Three minutes into the second half, Hogan again put the ball in the back of the net. This time, straight on from 25 yards, she had a solid strike that was above the outstretched arms of the Kristen Miller.

Seven minutes later, in the 50th minute, #16 Megan Gunnels hit a low ball that skipped in the wet grass and through the arms of Miller. The strike was from 22 yards and found the left side of the net.

The Lady Eagles did not quit however, and began to once again discover their first half form. Senior Stephanie Allen received a ball at the half line, took on two Tiger defenders as she dribbled the ball the entire length of Ozark’s half of the field and eventually beat the oncoming rush of their keeper to slide the ball into the open net. It was a courageous play and gave a spark to the Lady Eagles.

The 71st minute saw the Lady Tigers taking a free kick from just outside the right elbow of the 18 box. Coach Davidson directed his team in a perfectly executed set play. #12, Megan Jenisch took a tapped pass and place the ball perfectly inside the left side of the goal for the 4-1 lead.

Stephanie Allen would score the final goal of the game in the 75th minute. Near the end line to the left of the goal, Allen was able to fight off a defender and come free for the shot. There was little room but Allen managed to find the right angle and beat the goalie on the far side.

But for the first 10 minutes of the second half, the Lady Eagles matched the Lady Tigers. It should give them confidence as the season continues that they can play with the better teams in the area. Hopefully, consistency will be developed as this young team matures. If they can play hard for all 80 minutes, this team will be dangerous come districts.

Final Score
Nixa - 2
Ozark - 4