By Staff

Fall 2017 Preview: Republic Soccer

By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)

After turning the soccer program around in his first season, Republic head coach Kevin Hauck is looking for more success in 2017.

The Tigers finished the season with a 13-6 record, best in the school’s history, before falling to Willard in a district overtime thriller.

“2016 was a good year for us,” Hauck said. “We were competitive with everyone we played and beat some good teams. Unfortunately districts did not go how we hoped, but we have a good core returning and they have a lot of experience now and looking forward to see what we can put together.”

For the Tigers to continue building, Hauck will first need to fill spots lost to graduation.

The list starts with Julio Quezada, Republic’s all-time leading scorer. Quezada was a dominating and controlling presence in the midfield and was named Class 3 Second Team All-State in 2016.

Other Republic graduates include Manny Elivo, Cody Marcotte, Ray Rosas, Colton Daniel, Alejandro Garcia, Nate Hicks, Mason Michaelis, Jared Wininger and Ross Berning.

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While Quezada and Elivo leave key holes in the roster, Hauck doesn’t exactly have a barren cupboard to work with heading into the season.

“Julio was solid for us in the middle of the field and Manny did a great job in the back for us,” Hauck said. “We won’t lean on one particular person we will hopefully work as a unit and move as a unit with our experience.”

Senior Dylan Brown highlights that experience. A natural goal-scorer blessed with speed and quickness, Brown’s 41 goals in 2016 set Republic’s single-season record previously held by Quezada.

Fellow senior Trenton Roetto gives the Tiger attack some additional firepower.

“Having two goal scorers back will definitely help us,” Hauck said. “Dylan and Trenton are going to be great leaders for us. I think they will get us going in the right direction and keep us focused all year long.”

The pair are joined by juniors Dalton Ghan, Alex Leonard and Drew Flippin.

“There are a bunch of juniors coming back this year that will impact us,” Hauck said. “At some point last season they all were either starters or subbed on the varsity. It will give us tons of experience on the field and for subbing as well.”

Ghan, in particular, will be tested early. Republic’s keeper went 6-1 last season, notching six shutouts, 49 saves and only two goals allowed.

For Republic to improve on last season’s mark, Hauck believes the defense will set the tone.

“Our defense will grow and only get better with the season as it goes,” Hauck said. “I look for our games to be low scoring but every once in awhile we will break out. We have a system we have put into play this year and been focusing on it through the off season and we will continue to build on that through the season as well.”

As for a run in the postseason, Hauck feels his team will be right in the mix when districts roll around and might surprise some teams.

“I think we will be a strong team and a tough out for any opponent we play this year, and I expect for us to be in every game,” Hauck said. “I see us being a dark horse that teams will count out with us losing Quezada, but I think other pieces will step up and surprise teams and show them that we are the real deal this year.”

After hosting a jamboree with Ozark and Parkview, Republic opens play Aug. 22 against Class 2 state runner-up Monett.