The West Plains boys soccer team shut out the Rolla Bulldogs 3-0 on Monday in Rolla.
Hudson Cox scored two goals and Cordale Palmer added one, with assists from Cameron Miller and Gerson Anariba. West Plains led 2-0 at halftime.
Zizzers head coach Jimmy Miller said the defense remained connected and composed, forcing longer shots.
"I felt like once we went up by two goals, we had all the momentum and forced them to play differently; or more desperate and direct, with less possession," Miller said.
He added that midfield pressure created turnovers leading to counterattacks, while goalkeeper Hunter Lange anchored the shutout.
"It was our first varsity win at Rolla since 2006," Miller said. "It was our third win in a row, all on the road and all against quality opponents. We have talked about it all season as a team, just staying the course, learning from the losses and being focused on getting better and playing our best soccer late in the year leading into district play. We feel like we are starting to see the pieces come together at the right time."
Prior to the Rolla victory, the Zizzers rallied for a 3-2 double-overtime win against Bolivar on Sept. 30. Trailing 1-0 at halftime, Cox tied the game early in the second half on an assist from Palmer. After Bolivar regained a 2-1 lead, Anariba netted the equalizer on an assist from Miller.
In the 93rd minute, Isaac Ayala pushed a through ball to Miller, who found Caleb Cobb on the right wing. Cobb buried the golden goal at the far post to seal the victory. The coach noted it was the Zizzers’ first varsity win over Bolivar since at least 2009.
The road streak began Sept. 28 with another dramatic comeback, as West Plains erased a 2-0 halftime deficit to edge Springfield Central 3-2. Avenier Kulakevich sparked the rally just 30 seconds into the second half on an assist from Cobb. Twenty minutes later, Cox drew a foul and converted a penalty kick to tie the match. With 23 seconds remaining in regulation, Cox struck again for the game-winner. Lange and the Zizzer defense pitched a second-half shutout to secure the win.
