MARSHFIELD – District finals, Marshfield against Bolivar, whom we have never beaten. The number six seed versus the number one seed. Our big hearts had us this far, beating the number three (Monett) and number two (Cassville) seeds. This team had captured the imagination of the city. Judging from the crowd, it seemed almost like the Lady Jays were in their heyday, playing basketball outside. The home crowd was behind the team and the play was intense from the beginning. Bolivar had several scoring chances in the first few minutes, but the defense of Jacob Twaddle, Kyle Cary, and Koty Jones, kept them at bay. However, in the 8th minute, a flip throw by Matt Magana was deflected in by Jacob Hampton for a 0-1 Bolivar lead. In the 9th minute, Robert Martin passed to Colton Harden, was shot was saved. In the 12th minute, a corner by Bolivar looked dangerous, but was cleared out by the defense. In the next few minutes, free kicks taken by Colton Harden and Koty Jones looked promising. In the 26th minute, Robert Martin was able to thwart a flip throw by Matt Magana. In the 27th minute, Colton Harden had a nice shot that was saved by the keeper. In the 30th minute, a flip throw by Matt Magana to Bradley Stillwagon looked like it was going in upper 90 back post, but was parried away by Nic Yonter. In the 31st minute, a great header by Toad Slagle was saved. In the 38th minute, a cross to Matt Magana looked destined for the net, but was again saved by the keeper. In the 40th minute, a free kick just outside the 18 by Matt Magana was smashed toward the far post upper 90, but was incredibly saved again by the keeper. The half ended with Bolivar up by 1 goal.
The second half had the same intensity as the crowd made sure their collective voices were heard. In the 44th minute, Matt Magana took the ball down the left side and passed it to Tinash Zungura, whose shot was just inches away from the outstretched keeper’s hands: 0-2 Bolivar. The Jays did not give up as an error by the Bolivar keeper in picking up a pass from his defender resulted in an indirect kick from around the PK line. In the 45th minute, Colton Harden took the kick and passed it to a waiting Robert Martin, who scored his 59th career goal, and cut the lead in half: 1-2. Two minutes later, a header by Bradley Stillwagon made it 1-3 Bolivar. In the 50th minute, a corner by Robert Martin to Colton Harden was just wide. In the 55th minute, Ryan Doolittle had 2 chances, one that was just wide and another that was saved. A free kick by Koty Jones was taken in the 60th minute, but was slightly too long. In the 66th minute, a nice service by Colton Harden to Ryan Doolittle resulted in a header that was just high. In the 75th minute, a flip throw by Matt Magana was deflected into the goal: 1-4 Bolivar. With less than 2 minutes left in the game, a flip throw by our very own Jacob Twaddle went right to Trent Burks, whose shot was inches wide. There would be no more scoring on this night, as the final score was Bolivar 4, Marshfield 1.
Marshfield keeper Nic Yonter had 13 saves, to give him a total of 384 on the season, which is FOURTH all-time in the State of Missouri for a single season. His 18.29 saves per game average is SECOND all-time in the State for a single season.
Robert Martin finished the season with 25 goals and 59 points, which gives him 59 career goals, 25 assists and 143 total points in 89 games, which is NINETEENTH all-time in the State of Missouri for a career!
Our record this season ended up being 9-14. This was the first time we ever made it as far as the district finals. Looking at the amount of people in the crowd, the amount of enthusiasm from the stands, and all you accomplished this season, each and every member of this team should be proud, very proud indeed. You grew as a team and matured as tomorrow’s leaders of our society. Yes, it is actually now “cool” to play soccer in Marshfield. The future looks so bright for the program, we should all wear shades – even at night. Thank you, young men, for such a wonderful season!!
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