Boys’ soccer defeats Ozark, advance to state quarterfinals

Maddie Murphy
November 7, 2018

After being sent off by students at a small pep rally at 1:20 p.m. in the south parking lot of RBHS, the boys’ soccer team traveled to Ozark, Mo. to compete in the state semifinals Tuesday, Nov. 6.
Ozark got on the board with the first goal of the game in the 11th minute as the Bruins were down 1-0, but the Tigers’ reign did not last long. Sophomore Jeremiah Johnson leveled out the playing field with a goal, tying the game at 1-1.
Less than one minute later, senior Jayton Johnson scored for the Bruins yet again, with an assist from Jeremiah Johnson. This goal gave the Bruins an edge that keeps them safe throughout the rest of the game with a 2-1 lead that they maintained for the duration of the game.
Head coach Scott Wittenborn is very pleased with how the Bruins played. He is most excited, however, by how they responded to pressure.
“I’m most proud of how we responded going down early,” Wittenborn said. “We had controlled the first 15 minutes, and then gave up a counter attack goal. Instead of rolling over, we scored two goals very soon after to take the lead.”
Senior Carson Linder would credit the win to the team’s depth and even after suffering the injury of standout forward Nate Durdle, he is confident in their abilities.

“I feel very good going into quarterfinals,” Linder said. “We haven’t lost in the last 12 games and we don’t have a weak link on our team. I hope Lee’s Summit is ready.”

The Bruins will face Lee’s Summit at home Saturday, Nov. 10 for the state quarterfinals and the final four will be on the line. The game will be at RBHS and the time of the game is being announced after the completion of the bracket.
“Lee’s Summit is an incredibly talented team, with only one loss on the season,” Wittenborn said. “While our record isn’t as strong, our strength of schedule is much tougher than theirs, and we are playing really well the second half of the season.”
Wittenborn has complete confidence that his team will be able to compete with Lee’s Summit on Saturday. For him, it’s all about timing.

“Lee’s Summit is an incredibly talented team, with only one loss on the season,” Wittenborn said. “While our record isn’t as strong, our strength of schedule is much tougher than theirs, and we are playing really well the second half of the season. I think we are firing on all cylinders at the right time. I know that we are capable of beating anyone.”

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