Maybe, just maybe, things are turning around for the Neosho soccer team.
Neosho won its second game in a row on a rainy and foggy Tuesday night by beating visiting Ozark, 5-1, at Lions Field in Central Ozark Conference play.
Neosho is now 3-2 in league play and wraps up the COC portion of the schedule next Tuesday against Willard.
“This was a good win for conference, I think it will really help us out in the conference race,” said Neosho coach Steve Schnackenberg. “Losing to Branson hurt us in the standings.”
The win for Neosho gave the team a Christian County sweep, as they earlier defeated Nixa at home.
Neosho (7-10) and Nixa were in a scoreless game until late in the first half. Jack Dwyer broke the scoreless game at the 30th minute, scoring on a pass from Evan Clark. The soccer ball took a high bounce and skidded on the wet surface and Dwyer jumped and kicked it and it sailed over the Ozark goalie’s head.
In the 37th minute, the Wildcats got its second goal from Dwyer, this one came on a pass from Xavier Ruiz.
“Jack played well today,” said Schnackenberg.
Neosho went up 3-0 at halftime when Brad Toomoth scored on a pass from Jimmy Horner a minute before the whistle for intermission was blown.
Cody Brooks scored on a pass from Jordan Blevins in the 64th minute and Ozark scored an own goal for Neosho in the 81st minute.
“We passed the ball well and we found the open man tonight,” said Schnackenberg.
Neosho had 11 shots on goal, while Jeorge Bonilla had six saves.
Neosho won the JV game, 1-0. Mike Kramer scored in the 20th minute.
The Wildcats return to action at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, hosting Parkview.
