With a chance to punch a ticket to its 11th district championship appearance in the last 13 years, the Platte County boys’ soccer team (16-6) had far from the storybook ending in a Class 3 District 8 Semifinals matchup with Pembroke Hill (8-13-1) on Nov. 1.
Platte County junior Gavin Nichols celebrates after scoring the Pirates lone goal in the 2-1 overtime loss to Pembroke Hill in the Class 3 District 8 Semifinals on Nov. 1.
There were multiple unfortunate circumstances throughout the postseason contest before Pembroke Hill eliminated Platte County. Taking on the Raiders on their home turf was far from an easy task in a physical game that went into overtime.
Platte County senior Aaron Cordova exited early in the first half with a dislocated elbow. Without their leading scorer, the Pirates were able to hold their own before ultimately falling short, 2-1, on a Pembroke Hill penalty kick in extra minutes.
Gavin Nichols put Platte County up 1-0 when he took a pass from Cameron Habel and found the back of the net in the 23rd minute. The Raiders wasted no time to tie the game as they scored six minutes later, and the contest was 1-1 for the rest of regulation.
Nichols had a couple of opportunities in the second half to add a goal to the scoreboard, but a pair of headers on a corner kick from A.J. Schrick in the 41st minute and off a free kick in the 58th minute both were off the mark. Platte County lost senior goalkeeper Jordan Hedrick on a red card ejection and played sudden death overtime with Pembroke Hill with one less man on the field and a freshman goalie.
The Raiders took advantage of the numbers and eventually drew a questionable penalty kick in the 85th minute. Pembroke Hill capitalized on the opportunity – sinking the shot attempt – and walked away with a postseason victory, eliminating the Pirates.
Platte County had a tough season ending situation, sending off five seniors who have helped bring in 74 wins and only 17 losses from their freshman to senior seasons. The Pirates had rattled off nine wins in a row ahead of the postseason loss and will bring back some talented underclassmen next fall to try and build off what this senior class started.