Your online home for Joplin area sports coverage.

PREP SOCCER: Webb City falls to Union in Class 3 quarterfinals; Cardinals finish season with 22-4 record

WEBB CITY, Mo. — Webb City girls soccer saw it’s magical season come to end after falling 6-1 to Union in the Class 3 state quarterfinals on Saturday at Cardinal Stadium.

Union (24-2) scored the game’s first goal in the 15th minute and added a pair of goals late in the first half for a 3-0 lead at the break. Union replicated their first-half performance with three goals in the second half on the way to the win.

“We definitely knew they were going to pressure hard,” Webb City coach Nick Harmon said. “So, we were expecting that and I thought we handled it well in the early stages of the game. As the first half wore on, we gave up some late goals that we would like to have back. Credit to Union, they are a strong side.”

Webb City finishes the season with a 22-4 record, earning a trip to the state quarterfinal round for the first time in program history.

“I think they definitely pushed the program to new heights,” Harmon said. “They set a new precedence and new expectations for the program. They gained a lot of attention and support from the community, and it was deserved. I am very proud of them.”

Webb City senior Mileah Metcalf battles for possession with Union’s Aubrie Golus in the Class 3 state quarterfinals at Cardinal Stadium. Photo by Shawn Fowler.

The Cardinals graduate 10 seniors from the 2020-21 squad—Melia Blair, Mileah Metcalf, Sage Cranford, Velissia Perez, Chloe Johnston, Rylie Huff, Milca Rebolledo, Haven Stanley, Aubrey Hardy and Brianna Batson.

“It is hard to put into words,” Harmon said of his senior class. “This was the first group of players that I took on in my first year. To see them grow and develop over the last four years only to see them leave is bittersweet because I know they will move on to better and brighter things. But, we sure are going to miss them.”

GAME ACTION

Union got on the scoreboard first in the 15th minute when Mia Smith found room to get a shot off from 30 yards out that found the back of the net for a 1-0 lead.

Webb City had a shot to tie the match in the 22nd minute after Metcalf earned a steal deep in Wildcat territory before drawing a foul that awarded the Cardinals a penalty kick. Blair’s PK sailed over the right side of the crossbar and was no good.

“I think it was a turning point in the game,” Harmon said of the missed opportunity. “Obviously, it’s a situation we’d like to have back, but that’s the way soccer goes. Unfortunately, the ball didn’t roll our way today.”

Webb City senior Haven Stanley passes off a free kick during the Cardinals’ loss to Union in the Class 3 quarterfinals on Saturday at Cardinal Stadium. Photo by Shawn Fowler.

The Wildcats took control of the game late in the first half after Mya Minor found the back of the net in the 35th minute from 20 yards out to push the lead to 2-0. Union’s Emily Gaebe added a goal from 8 yards out a short time later to push the Wildcats’ lead to 3-0 heading into the half.

Gaebe added her second of the game in the 51st minute after converting from 10 yards out to make the score 4-0. Maliyah Minor added a top-shelf goal in the 67th minute to push the lead to 5-0. Sophie Eagan added a goal for the Wildcats in the 76th minute.

Webb City’s Anea Bemo converted a penalty kick in the 77th minute to get the Cardinals on the board.

UP NEXT

Union will take on Fort Zumwalt South in the Class 3 semifinals at 4 p.m. on Wednesday.

Webb City’s Anea Bemo scores on a penalty kick to get the Cardinals on the scoreboard late against Union in the Class 3 quarterfinals. Photo by Shawn Fowler.