Three days after making a career long 29-yard field goal on the football field, Aaron Cordova had a hat-trick on the soccer field to lift Platte County (7-4) over Park Hill (8-5) on Oct. 3.
While they are in different classes, this was the second time this fall that the two teams played each other with the Pirates coming out on top on both occasions. Platte County won 2-1 in the Park Hill Classic early in the season on Aug. 31.
In the most recent matchup, the first half was back-and-forth with each squad having possession for a comparable amount of time. The Trojans had 10 shots and six shots on goal, while the Pirates had eight shots and five shots on goal.
The first 36:14 of the contest was scoreless until Cordova struck twice in the final 3:46. The senior scored both of his first half goals from attacking on the left side, with the second one happening with 19 seconds on the clock.
The second half was more defense oriented, with neither squad able to match the aggressiveness of the first half. Park Hill chipped at the two-goal deficit with Luka Andonovski finding the back of the net in the 46th minute.
With 26:30 left in the contest, Gavin Nichols drew a foul in the box and the Pirate had a chance to add to the scoreboard. Nichols’ penalty kick attempt was on goal, but the Trojans’ goalkeeper came up with a clutch save.
Platte County senior Aaron Cordova (#10) celebrates with his teammates after completing a hat trick in the Pirates 3-1 victory against Park Hill.
Cordova put the game out of reach in the 69th minute when the senior broke loose and took it the distance. With a pair of Park Hill defenders at his disposal, Cordova dribbled all the way to the box on the left side and kicked the ball into the upper right corner to give the Pirates a 3-1 advantage.
The Trojans attempted to make a last stint comeback, but they came up short. Park Hill South (6-4) will host Park Hill on Oct. 5 and Platte County on Oct. 6.