Nixa Eagles Soccer

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

The Lady Eagles travelled to Neosho on Tuesday night to take on the Lady Cats. The fist half was played to a 0-0 draw. In the second half, the Lady Eagles dominated possession and kept the ball in the attacking third with numerous scoring chances.

The first goal came in the 53rd minute from the Lady Cats however, as a ball was played to Melanie White (#10) just past the half line and behind the Lady Eagles defense. The play appeared to be offside as Hannah Barber raced back with her hand up to signal the referee’s assistant. No call was made and White was able to out-run the defense and beat the goalie, Kristen Miller for the 1-0 lead.

The Lady Eagles quickly tied the match in the 58th minute. Jacklyn Finley played the ball to Kelsey Haist above the 18 box. Haist beat the defender and attacked the goalie perfectly from the left forcing the goalie to the middle. A well placed, low ball slotted to the left of the goalie tied the score 1-1.

Most of the rest of regulation was played in the Lady Eagles attacking third and it seemed they would surely prevail. It was not to be however as many shots missed their mark and good crosses bounced through the 18 box. One exception was a long ball played by the Lady Cats. A 50-50 ball was created with Nixa’s goalie, Kristen Miller coming out high to challenge. Miller won the contest and the match ended 1-1 at the end of regulation.

Two, ten minute overtimes once again saw play dominated by the Lady Eagles. But the net remained empty, forcing the first PKs for either team in a regular season game. A rule change this year created this new format, and it generated plenty of excitement for both teams. Coach Palmer selected Stephanie Allen, Jacklyn Finley, Kelsey Haist, Hannah Barber, and Jo Pavlowsky to take the PKs for the Lady Eagles. Unfortunately, the Lady Cats gained the victory on the last PK by sophomore, Jackie Field (#3).

Final Score
Nixa 3
Neosho 4

The Nixa Eagles would like to thank sgfsoccer.com for providing the groundwork for this site. Please check out his site for the latest publishing of anything important to the soccer affectionario. You can also order reprints of photos he has taken from the many high school, college and beyond games he attends. Take a look, he may have the shot you can never seem to get yourself.

Again many thanks!