Rogersville beats Monett for key conference and district win

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By Kai Raymer (For OzarksSportsZone.com)

Underdogs no more.

Logan-Rogersville staked its claim as a legitimate postseason contender Tuesday night with a 1-0 home victory over Monett, the No. 2-ranked team in the Class 2 state coaches’ poll.

Logan-Rogersville had lost 10 straight versus Monett and last beat the Cubs in 2012 – when the current Wildcat seniors were in 4th grade. Monett started its current streak of eight straight district titles that season.

“It definitely has been a few years (since we beat Monett),” said Logan-Rogersville senior defender and co-captain Peyton Prenger. “And I’m sure everybody thought it was going to be a blowout tonight. But, you know, we came out with high intensity and played as a team and got the win.”

Sage Ballard’s goal in the 28th minute proved to be the difference.

Ballard netted his team-high 20th goal off a feed from his twin, Rylen.

“Rylen was sitting deep and he saw me giving him a look, so I made a run and he played me through,” Sage Ballard said. “One touch by (the defender) and I put it into the side net.”

CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE GAME

Ballard nearly made it 2-0 a few minutes later when he got free for a 1-v-1, but mistimed his shot.

“(The ball) took a little bobble on me,” he said. “I should’ve finished it.”

Logan-Rogersville’s improved defense kept the Cubs scoreless for the first time this season. Monett (9-5 overall) had tallied 43 total goals entering the match.

“I like our defense. They work well together,” said Wildcats coach Brett Wubbena. “I think our midfield and forward, when they work together, they’re good. They can find each other. They like to play off each other – they’re dynamic.”

Said Sage Ballard: “We really improved defensively this game. And we moved the ball well, held possession.”

Logan-Rogersville goalkeeper Kobe Fisher made a handful of the saves in the second half to preserve the lead. Fisher dove to deflect a would-be goal from Monett sophomore Alexix Ramirez in the 74th minute.

The result gave Logan-Rogersville its sixth clean sheet this season.

“We just played as a team. That’s all it takes, really,” Prenger said. “Play together, you can win.”

The victory gives Logan-Rogersville an early edge for what should be a competitive Class 2 District 4 tournament. The field features three teams (Logan-Rogersville, Monett and Greenwood) ranked in the Top 10 of Class 2, with a fourth (Aurora) receiving votes.

Logan-Rogersville has already beaten Aurora along with another district opponent – Cassville – and won’t play Greenwood until after district seeds have been determined.

“We have a long way to go, but this is definitely a good step in the right direction,” Wubbena said. “We’re hoping this shows that we should be the 1-seed in districts.”

Logan-Rogersville (12-5 overall) plays at New Covenant Academy on Thursday.

Monett, which has now lost three straight, looks to rebound this Saturday afternoon when it hosts Springfield Catholic.

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