By Levi Payton
sports@joplinglobe.com
Just when it seemed like Monday’s game between the Joplin Eagles and McAuley Warriors was headed for overtime, the Eagles broke through with two late goals and shut out the Warriors 2-0.
It took 67:49 for the Eagles to break through with a pair of goals. Both goals were scored less than three minutes apart.
“We kind of persevered,” Eagles coach Ed Miller said. “We had shot, after shot, after shot and we just couldn’t put them in.”
The Eagles certainly had more opportunities to score. They spent the majority of the game in McAuley territory before scoring both goals off corner kicks.
“They had one too many corners,” Warriors coach Tom Gilliam said. “I don’t know how many they had, probably ten or twelve, and they were deadly on every one of them.”
Joplin’s first score came at 13:11 in the second half on a blast by Stephanie Loden. Loden’s score was assisted by Taylor Sharp. The goal gave the Eagles a boost of momentum.
The Warriors moved the ball deep into Eagle territory shortly after the score but came away with nothing. A few minutes later the Eagles added an insurance goal on a header from Kelly Yount at 10:39 to seal the win.
“We just kept plugging away,” Miller said. “Finally, we got a couple to go in.”
McAuley starters were forced to play the entire game. They went into the game with a shallow roster of 13 players, but two were battling injuries and didn’t suit up. Both coaches were impressed with their efforts.
“I thought McAuley came out and showed a lot of heart today,” Miller said. “They kept battling and really left it all out on the field.”
Gilliam said he was happy to see his team make it close at the end.
“(Late in the game) I thought it was going to be a one point game,” he said. “So when they scored back-to-back it was a little deflating.
“We held them there though and were able to make a late run at them ourselves. It’s just a testament to our teams will power.”
The Eagles improve to 10-7 overall and will play in Lebanon today at 4:30 p.m.
McAuley falls to 4-7. The Warriors are at Pleasant Hope on Friday at 5 p.m.
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Eagles score two late goals to slip past McAuley
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