The Waynesville Tiger Soccer team traveled to Interstate 44 rivals Lebanon Yellow Jackets for tonight's game. The Yellow Jackets have been playing well, capitalized by a big win against fellow OC rival Kickapoo last week. 

The Tigers pounced to what looked like an early goal by Riley Clemons, but the assistant Referee was standing with his flag indicating offsides on the shot. The Tigers continued with the strong start by controlling the midfield and spreading the ball to the wings for dangerous crosses into the box. Lebanon looked most dangerous by counter attacks as they tried to find #23 in space to have a go at the Tiger defense. At the 10-minute mark the Tigers finally got on the score board as Darien Grosvenor fought past the left back and floating a shot over the Yellow Jacket Keeper from a sharp angle near the end line. 

Lebanon responded to the goal with a push of their own. Increasing their work rate and pressure in the midfield. The effort led to several corner kicks for the Jackets and a couple of quality scoring opportunities. Lebanon was rewarded at the 22 minute mark with a goal from Lebanon's #16 who finished with a header from well-placed cross from the right side of the box. 

The Tigers responded by regaining their early game form after finding themselves in a tie game. The Tigers continued to exploit the Jackets left and right flanks as the midfield trio of Joachim Hoppe, Anthony Salas, and Nate Taylor found open space to play the ball into. Clemens had a stand out performance creating multiple scoring opportunities and working to crash the back post as he controlled the right side of midfield. At the 34-minute mark Grosvenor tapped in his 2nd goal after Faheem Mujahid took a great left footed shot from the left of center that forced Lebanon's keeper to dive to his left to make the initial save. The ball fell to the right side of an open net were Grosvenor tapped the ball into the net as he crashed the box on the shot from Faheem. The final 5 minutes of the first half found both teams stretched defensively and desperate to get another goal. Several shots were sent wide, saved, or hit the crossbar when the whistle finally blew ending the half. 

After making half-time adjustments, both teams played a tighter game defensively. With the Tigers attempting to preserve the lead there were few quality attempts on goal. They earned more corners but failed to see them materialize into anything productive. The Tigers did a better job staying patient defensively and slowing down the Yellow Jacket counter attacks. All of Lebanon's 2nd half shots were from outside of the box and many of them blocked before Isaac Swanson would be needed to make a save. 

The Tigers extend their lead in the 72nd minute of the game as Clemens put an exclamation point on a terrific night by scoring a goal on a long cross from near the right side touch line that drifted over the keeper and into the left corner of the net. Lebanon was never able to mount an effective response after the Tigers 3rd goal. While the Tigers struggled offensively the 2nd half, the defense ended the night positively with Kevin Cruz and Riley Wright completing the game with strong performances. 

The Tigers are again on the road as they travel to Nixa for a non-conference matchup against one of their toughest opponents of the year. 

The JV team had their best game of the year shutouting Lebanon's JV 8-0 ending the game early into the 2nd half.