The Platte County Pirates’ soccer team got a gutsy performance from the boys in a 3-2 come-from-behind win over Belton last Wednesday, Oct. 3.
The game was the third in a week and the second in as many days for Platte County, so having enough energy was a concern coming into the match. The Pirates had just played a 1-0 game that needed penalty kicks to be decided. Head Coach Ashlyn Brantley told The Citizen after the match she was proud of the effort of the boys.
“They kept fighting, and they never let down,” Brantley said. “This is our third game in a week, and I know they were tired, but they left it on the field like I asked them to.”
The Pirates battled some adversity early on in the match, needing senior goalkeeper Paul Havemeier to come to the rescue a few times. Platte County dodged a bullet in the 10th minute when a Belton shot went just over the crossbar. Havemeier also had to defend five corner kicks in the match to only one for Platte County’s offense.
Platte County senior Aidan Murray got the equalizer for the Pirates with a header last Wednesday, Oct. 2. DENNIS SHARKEY/Citizen Photo
The Pirates had only one shot on goal in the first half, but it was a good one. Sophomore Camden Noller was able to put the ball in the net in the 20th minute after getting a turnover at midfield, and the Pirates made the 1-0 lead standup into halftime.
Belton was able to even things up early in the second half when a shot got just past a diving Havemeier that found the far corner of the net. Belton was able to take the lead on a penalty kick in the 54th minute.
Now playing from behind, the Pirates had to get more aggressive to create more chances, and in the 70th minute, they did that by drawing a penalty just outside the box. The ball was sent in, and senior Aidan Murray found the net with a header to make things even again.
Platte County senior goalkeeper Paul Havemeier got in front of a shot versus Belton. DENNIS SHARKEY/Citizen Photo
Feeling the momentum about a minute later, junior Cameron Habel got a steal and was able to beat Belton’s goalkeeper for the lead. Brantley said her team’s aggressiveness paid off in the later part of the second half.
“I think we started owning the midfield in that second half,” Brantley said. ‘Once we were able to keep the ball, connect, and get behind their backs, we were able to find success.”
The Pirates had a few more chances to score but couldn’t connect. Belton made a late push but was turned back by Havemeier and the defense. Brantley said her team has battled injuries to key players, including Havemeier, and has had to play with different lineups.
They defended well together, and they came together because our lineup hasn’t been like it has the past few games because some players are sick or out for whatever reason, so we had to move some players around and then stepped up in those positions,” Brantley said. “We have all the confidence in Paul. Coming off of last night and PKs, we’re all tired, and they’ve been feeling it, he’s been battling injury throughout the season, but he’s getting to everything he needs to, and we have all the confidence with him in goal.”
