Since receiving MSHSA clearance to join Ozark’s varsity the second week of April, forward Lyndzey Casey has quickly made Glendale her favorite opponent to play against.
Casey netted a hat trick against the Lady Falcons three weeks ago and figured prominently for the only goal in the Lady Tigers’ 1-0 Class 4 District 5 semifinal triumph over Glendale on Thursday.
Casey drew a foul just outside the 18-yard box, setting up a goal on a free kick by Brooklyn Schulte midway through the second period.
Casey was happy to be playing the Lady Falcons again.
“I know a couple players from playing club ball with them. Knowing an opponent and how they play gives me extra ’We’ve got to beat them’ (motivation),” Casey said. “I was excited about playing them, but it also was a little nerve wracking. There was a lot of pressure. I felt it was my responsibility to (have a hat trick) again. Even though I wasn’t able to score tonight, the foul was all we needed.”
Coach Zack Owens believes having a positive mindset can allow a player to continue to have success against a certain team
“It’s like when you get a new outfit, it makes you feel good and you have confidence,” he said. “She came into this game confident and ready to play.”
Casey, a junior, transferred from West Plains to Ozark last August. But she initially didn’t receive eligibility to play by MSHSAA and in fact was told she would have to wait 365 days to be eligible. She appealed and twice had to speak to MSHSAA board members to explain the circusmtances leading to her transfer.
“I had to talk to 20 people about why I moved and how I didn’t come here for sports,” Casey said.
She was restricted to playing jayvee ball in March and early April, before being declared eligible and debuting at the varsity level April 11 against Sedalia Smith-Cotton.
“I cried. It was a weight off my shoulders,” Casey said of her reaction to being cleared. “I really wanted to play one year with Brooklyn, after playing club ball with her. I love these girls and everyone I’m surrounded by.”
Likewise, Schulte was thrilled for Casey to get to play. They were teammates last year for SWMO Rush Pinnacle.
“We have really good chemistry on the field and she does with a lot of other girls, too,” Schulte said. “She’s been like a glue for our team.”
Schulte scored from 30 yards out on her free kick.
“I was thinking from that distance I wanted her to shoot it and that’s what I told her,” Owens said. “It was gorgeous.”
“I knew I had a shot,” Schulte said. “I had to capitalize on the opportunity for my team.”
Ozark (18-7) posted its 11th shutout on the season.
The Lady Tigers shut out Glendale for the second time this season and the third straight match dating back to last year. The Lady Falcons haven’t scored on Ozark in two years.
Ozark is back in a District final for the first time in four years and will meet Nixa on Tuesday.
In Thursday’s other semifinal, two-time defending District champ Nixa whipped Kickapoo 4-0.
The Lady Eagles (20-3) received two goals from Shaelee Franck and one goal apiece from Jade Johnson and Bella Lozano.
