Landon Otero stepped up for the final kick of a penalty-kick shootout and buried it, giving Republic a 1-1 (4-3) win over Branson Friday at the Webb City Kickoff Classic.
Otero’s chance to win it came courtesy of goalkeeper Koal Williams, who stopped back-to-back Branson kicks in the middle of the shootout to swing it in Republic’s favor.
Branson made the Tigers play from behind almost from the start. The Pirates scored less than four minutes into the game and took that 1-0 lead into halftime. Williams kept the deficit at one goal, stopping a Branson shot in the 14th minute…