By Kai Raymer (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
It’s always sweet to come out on the winning side of a Nixa-Ozark game.
For Nixa seniors like Annslee Glenn and Lexie Rasmussen, it’s even sweeter when you do so against your friends from club ball.
With Rasmussen sparking the offense and Glenn and Liz Davis anchoring the defense, Nixa bested cross-county rival Ozark 3-0 on Wednesday night.
“It felt great. I’m friends with their entire starting lineup,” said Rasmussen, referring to her Ozarks Premier Soccer Academy ties. “It felt really good to get through there and score on them.”
Rasmussen scored the go-ahead goal in the 14th minute and later dished out two assists to seal Nixa’s victory. She’s keyed the Nixa attack after missing most of last season with a leg injury.
“She’s so fun to watch,” said Eagles coach Evan Palmer. “She’s comfortable on the ball, can (make) great passes and can finish, too.
“She got us started with that first goal and we kind of got going from there.”
The game swung in the 18th minute, shortly after Ozark’s Keeley Combs hit the crossbar on a shot attempt.
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE GAME
Nixa then capitalized on an Ozark giveaway near midfield and countered with Rasmussen setting up Katie Kamies for a goal.
“That game could be totally different if that (Ozark shot) goes in,” Palmer said. “If it goes in, it’s 1-1. Instead, we score right off that.”
Nixa’s midfield and backline units helped the Eagles control the game. The Eagles brought consistent pressure and limited shot openings.
“We just have to learn to not dive in, and if that does happen, then cover for each other,” Glenn said. “I think we have a really good pressure-cover system where we can help each other if anyone messes up.”
Nixa’s focus: Keeping Ozark outside of the 18-yard box.
“We knew coming in that we’d have to pressure really hard because they have some girls up top that can do stuff with the ball, both passing and attacking,” said Nixa senior defender Liz Davis. “We needed to put that pressure on them right away.”
Nixa goalkeeper Riley McClintock preserved the shutout in the second half with a pair of diving, highlight-worthy saves.
Karlie Hoskins scored in the 57th minute, off a Rasmussen feed, to give Nixa a 3-0 lead.
“For whatever reason, we worked really well moving in the middle today,” Rasmussen said. “Me and the center forward, Katie Kamies, we could switch and she’d make a run and I could play her a perfect ball anytime.”
Nixa and Ozark will likely meet again next month in Class 4 District 9 tournament at Branson High School. Kickapoo, with victories over both Nixa and Ozark, is locked into the No. 1 seed.
“I’m excited to play either team again,” Rasmussen said. “I know we can compete with or beat either team. I’m looking forward to the challenge.”
Nixa (6-5 overall) returns home to face Joplin on Thursday. Ozark hosts Neosho the same night.
Nixa 3, Ozark 0
Nixa 2 1 — 3
Ozark 0 0 — 0
First half
Nixa (14’) – Lexie Rasmussen (Erica Hartley assist)
Nixa (18’) – Katie Kamies (Rasmussen assist)
Second half
Nixa (57’) – Karlie Hoskins (Rasmussen assist)
