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STATE SOCCER: Webb City’s postseason run ends in quarterfinals

By:
Brock Sisney

WEBB CITY, Mo. — The Webb City Cardinals held onto a 1-0 lead for 66 minutes, 54 seconds of their Class 3 state quarterfinal match Saturday afternoon against the Glendale Falcons at Cardinal Stadium.

Webb City senior forward Alex Flores put a free kick over the wall of three Glendale defenders and past senior goalkeeper Cole Vincel for the first score only 1:25 into the match.

But Glendale senior Lincoln Wimmer spoiled Webb City’s final four chances with two goals in the final 11:41, including the game-winning goal late in the 88th minute, to lift the Falcons to a 2-1 victory.

Webb City’s best season in nearly a quarter-century comes to an end at 13-12 overall.

“I think we played really, really well,” Webb City coach Nick Harmon said. “For the most part, I thought we played as good as we could have. We executed the game plan the way that we wanted to, and I’m just proud of the guys.”

Webb City’s Alex Flores and a Glendale player both go for the header during the Class 3 quarterfinal at Cardinal Stadium. Photo by Israel Perez.

The match shifted on a penalty kick at 26:33 in the second half.

A Glendale defender fouled Flores in the box, setting up the one-on-one showdown between goal scorer and goal stopper.

Vincel made the save on Flores’ kick and preserved the 1-0 score.

“To be honest, I think that was the momentum shift,” Harmon said. “Credit to their keeper. To be honest, I think that won them the game because the goals they scored weren’t anything fancy. They had some lucky bounces, and their guys capitalized and were able to get on the end of it. But for sure, I think if we bury that PK, I think it’s game over. Alex couldn’t have put it in a better spot. The kid just made a spectacular save.”

Flores’ goal in the first half gave him 29 on the season.

“Spectacular,” Harmon said. “He was a huge goal-scoring threat for us up front and just seemed to find a way in big games and in pressure situations. In games like this, when the season’s on the line, he’s able to hit brilliant shots that win games and keep us in games. I’m proud of him.”

Webb City seniors Flores, Felipe Perez, Isaac Wade and Connor Black played their final games Saturday, but the majority of the Cardinals should be returning next season.

“Overall, we’ve got to be proud of what we’ve done,” Harmon said. “We went farther than any team has in the last 23 years and made history by winning the first district title this millennium. We’ve got a young squad, so we obviously wish that we could have gone further this year, but we’re proud of our seniors for leading the way and we’re excited about our young guys because we’ll be back here next year.”

Glendale improved to 24-4 overall and the Falcons will return to action Friday, Nov. 18, in the semifinals at the World Wide Technology Soccer Park in Fenton.

 

Pictured is Webb City’s Kaulden Hood. All photos by Israel Perez/SoMo Sports.

 

Luis Gallardo battles a Glendale player for possession on Saturday afternoon at Cardinal Stadium.

 

Alex Flores scored Webb City’s lone goal of the game against Glendale.

 

Trevor Peterson is pictured during Saturday’s Class 3 quarterfinal.

 

Webb City goalkeeper Connor Black stops a shot from Glendale’s Dylan Spivy. Glendale defeated Webb City 2-1 in a Class 3 quarterfinal contest on Saturday. All photos by Israel Perez.

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