WEBB CITY, Mo. — The top-seeded Webb City Cardinals scored a pair of first-half goals and recorded their third consecutive home shutout with a 2-0 win on Tuesday over the fifth-seeded Grandview Bulldogs in the Class 3 District 6 semifinals at Cardinal Stadium.
Webb City senior forward Alex Flores took a through ball from sophomore Kaulden Hood and opened the scoring with a goal against Grandview senior goalkeeper Yahir Gonzalez just 11 minutes in.
With 3:17 remaining before halftime, junior midfielder Luis Gallardo struck a perfect ball past Gonzalez from around the 30-yard line.
The Cardinals had several other scoring opportunities, mostly in the first half.
“We executed our gameplan really well,” Webb City coach Nick Harmon said. “The boys were really comfortable in possession, they stayed organized, and they were able to find the space that Grandview was leaving us and exploiting it for goals.”
The Cardinals had to sweat a little bit in the second half to maintain their shutout streak, as Grandview senior forwards Vicente Rodriguez and Diego Alvarenga each had their scoring opportunities.
“We really had to work for the shutout in the second half,” Harmon said. “I thought Grandview had a good second half, and responded well after our first half. They started throwing a lot of numbers forward second half and credit to our boys. Very proud of the way they had to grind in some moments to preserve the lead, but they did a good job.”
On one play near the middle of the second half, Webb City junior defender Jadon Brisco blocked Rodriguez’s shot and Alvarenga missed wide.
The Cardinals amassed nearly 260 minutes of shutout soccer in their wins against McDonald County, Kansas City Ruskin, and Grandview.
Webb City, 12-11 overall, will play third-seeded Belton (10-9) for the district title at 5 p.m. Thursday at Cardinal Stadium. Belton defeated Willard 5-2 in the other semifinal Tuesday.
“We’re expecting a hard game, no matter who the opponent is, it’s going to be tight and we’re going to have to be in the right frame of mind and expect to work for the result,” Harmon said. “I’m confident that Cardinal Nation will come out and support us. We’ve got a chance to make history on Thursday night.”
The Cardinals will be vying for their first district title in boys soccer since 1999.
