Facing a second straight defeat, Platte County not only found a way to force overtime but then went on to net the winner Monday, Sept. 7.
The Pirates twice erased deficits against Grain Valley, and Baylor Cox netted the golden goal in a 4-3 win at Platte County High School with 2 minutes, 27 seconds to play in overtime. The Eagles held leads of 2-0 and 3-2, but Platte County leveled in the 61st minute and then again in the 80th minute with 47 seconds to play.
Blake Cochran tallied the third goal to force the overtime.
Grain Valley led 2-0 in the second half before Platte County midfielder Chandler Peterson broke the shutout in 53rd minute. Platte County got another goal on the scoreboard seven minutes later on an Eagles own goal, but Grain Valley took the lead back with 13 minutes to play.
Platte County (3-1-1) outshot the Eagles 17-11 with Pirates goalkeeper Bailey Ride making eight saves to earn the win.
St. Joseph Central 1, Platte County 0
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — The Pirates dominated the chances Thursday, Sept. 3 at The Den but couldn’t find a way to beat St. Joseph Central goalkeeper Noah Cameron, who made nine saves in the victory. The difference proved to be an unlikely strike from 27 yards out late in the first half, which held up as the only goal.
Platte County dropped to 2-1-1 after opening the season with a victorious run through the Barstow Tournament championship.
Baylor Cox fired nine shots overall and put five on target, creating the majority of good chances that went wanting for the Pirates. Cameron stopped him once in the first 25 minutes, but the best opportunity for Platte County to take a lead came in the 23rd minute when Cox kept the ball on his feet through traffic but fired high from 9 yards out.
In the 33rd minute, Central struck. Gaige Wilson collected a loose ball and hit a curling shot into the upper right corner, beating Ride (five saves).
Platte County nearly equalized twice in the opening minutes of the second half. Cox fired just wide on one attack, while Cameron stoned reserve defender Sam Stuteville’s shot hit right down the center of the goal.
After splitting time in goal last season and in the Barstow Tournament, Ride played all 80 minutes and made some key saves, including a leaping catch in the 61st minute to keep Platte County’s deficit at 1-0. The Pirates also continued to play without junior defender Zach Rolofson, who suffered a non-weight bearing fracture of his fibula during the preseason jamboree. He’s expected to return soon.
Olathe Tournament
Park Hill South lost its opener against Olathe Northwest 2-0, a loss that included a missed penalty kick opportunity.
In the consolation bracket opener, the Panthers easily advanced to the fifth-place game behind Michael Panella’s second half hat trick. They led Blue Springs South 3-0 at the break behind goals for Carson Cavitt-Wells, Jared Hernandez and Danny Gunderson. Tanner Alderson assisted on the first two, including a cross after a strong run down the wing to set up Cavitt-Wells.
Panella scored in the 68th, 76th and 78th minutes to provide the final margin. Park Hill South goalkeeper Evan Morrow made four saves for the shutout, and according to coach Joe Toigo, benefited from Josh Wood’s move into central defense.
Park Hill South continues its early run of tournament play, set to open the KA-MO Classic on Tuesday, Sept. 8 against Blue Valley. The result was not available at The Citizen’s deadline.
Park Hill 1, Liberty North 0
Nico Bosmediano’s thunderous right-footed strike proved the difference in the Trojans’ home opener Wednesday, Sept. 2 at Park Hill District Soccer Complex in Riverside, Mo.
With just more than 22 minutes left in regulation, the Park Hill central midfielder took a throw in and dribbled toward the middle of the field. He hesitated twice before unleashing a shot from 35 yards out that curled into the upper right hand corner of the net to put the Trojans up 1-0.
Peyton LaFerla made the lead stand up, recording his third shutout of the season. Park Hill sits at 3-3 entering the Suburban Conference Red Division opener against St. Joseph Central on Wednesday, Sept. 9.