SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Joe Rice scored the game-winning goal in the second overtime of Joplin’s 2-1 victory Tuesday night at Kickapoo.

Both teams came into the game unbeaten in the Ozark Conference.

“We were playing for not only a possible conference title, but also for a possible No. 1 seed in the district, so there was a lot riding on this game,” said Joplin head coach Ed Miller.

“It was a very physical, hard-fought game. Kickapoo went to the Greater St. Louis Classic and beat the No. 4 team in the state (St. Louis University High). This was not just another game.”

Joplin, 13-1-1, fell behind 1-0 in the first half, but tied the score early in the second half on a goal that was credited to Will Krolman.

After a scoreless overtime period, the Eagles set up the winning goal. “The ball was played to Garrett Ward in the middle of the field,” Miller said. “He made a move and made a guy miss. He played the ball between two defenders to Joe Rice, who put the ball in the net. It was an outstanding effort to finish right there.”

Kickapoo outshot Joplin 17-8 and took a 1-0 lead 17 minutes into the game on a goal by Josh McCutchon. Kickapoo led 1-0 at halftime.

“We expected a different formation and they got a goal early,” Miller said. “In the second half, we made some adjustments.”

The Eagles tied the score four minutes into the second half when a long throw-in into the box to Krolman was deflected into the goal, Miller said.

“From that point on, it was pretty much a back-and-forth game,” he said. “Our goalie, Brock Renken, made some huge saves.”

Monett 4, College Heights 3

Monett overcame a 3-0 first-half deficit and defeated host College Heights.

College Heights goals by Brantley Gossett, Dalton Zarrabi and Josiah Braeckel gave the Cougars a 3-0 lead in the first 19 minutes. Kellen Grantham assisted on two of the goals and Zarrabi assisted on the third goal.

Monett cut the lead to 3-2 with first-half goals by Misael Cordero and Eddie Acetes, then tied the game early in the second half on a goal by Francisco Morales.

Juan Salas scored the game-winner for Monett at the 68-minute mark.

Neosho 6, Webb City 0

WEBB CITY, Mo. — Neosho broke open a close game with three quick goals early in the second half of their Central Ozark Conference Large Division matchup.

Neosho, leading 1-0, scored on goals by Jacob Humphrey, Dustin Hill and Angel Garcia during a five-minute stretch of the second half.

Taylor Gilliam of Neosho scored the only goal of the first half, then the Wildcats added goals by Juan Casique and Joey Jennings midway through the second half.

Carl Junction 10, Thomas Jefferson 0

The visiting Bulldogs were ahead 7-0 by halftime in hiking their record to 10-4.

Caiton Bandy, a sophomore, sparked Carl Junction with four goals and two assists. Cullen Graham had two assists.

Carl Junction will play Neosho at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday in the Joplin Tournament.

Tennis

Joplin 5, Carthage 2

CARTHAGE, Mo. — The third-seeded Eagles, avenging an earlier 5-4 loss, prevailed in a team semifinal of the Class 2 District 12 Tournament.

Joplin (11-2) travels to No. 1 Republic at 4:30 p.m. today to determine the championship.

Republic beat fourth-seeded Neosho 5-0 in the other semifinal after the Wildcats advanced by beating Webb City 5-3. Joplin and Republic will be meeting this season for the first time.

Joplin, against Carthage, received singles wins from Paula Lanta, Laela Zaidi, Sarah Ingle and Gretchen White. Lanta and Zaidi also won at No. 1 doubles.

Kaley Ledford and Brooks Renken posted singles wins for Carthage.

Said Joplin coach Sean McWilliams: “The difference from our earlier match was our play at No. 5 and No. 6 singles.”

Volleyball

Joplin tops Mustangs

Joplin swept past McDonald County 25-11, 25-14 in a nonconference match at the Joplin 9th & 10th Grade Campus.

Erin Lawellin led the Eagles with 14 serve points, 20 assists and four digs, and Olivia Hampton had nine kills and two blocks.

Alicia Ballard led McDonald County with five points.

Carl Junction downs Lamar

LAMAR, Mo. — Katie Wiele led Carl Junction past Lamar, 25-12, 25-7 in a Big 8 Conference matchup.

Wiele had seven points and 13 digs as Carl Junction improved to 3-0 in the conference. Katelyn Luce had three points and eight digs for Lamar.