To reach the point of celebration, Platte County junior Karlee Chase first needed to experience some failure.
Six shots. One penalty kick. Zero goals.
A scoreless Platte County Invitational consolation contest between the Pirates and St. Pius X on Monday, March 18 stretched on. Despite Chase and her teammates’ efforts, this one was destined for extra time.
But when Chase, a midfielder, found herself with the ball at her feet just outside of the 18-yard box with 30 seconds left in the first extra time period, she was ready for redemption.
Following a pass from freshman Hannah Stone, Chase struck a shot with her non-dominant left foot and watched it sail over Pius keeper Alaina Mallot and into the back of the net for the golden goal.
Jubilation ensued, as the Pirates had notched their first victory of the season following a 2-0 loss to Staley in the season opener and first round of Platte County’s invite.
“I was like ‘well, we have 30 seconds left, so I might as well try,’” Chase said. “That was pretty special. I had missed like seven (shots) before, but it was good to finish like that because we didn’t want to go into a second overtime.”
“I was happy for her,” Platte County coach Ashlyn Brantley said. “She had been working her butt off in the midfield all game; she played the whole game then she had taken some shots but they were off frame. That one was able to get in and we were super happy for her.”
Chase and her teammates had numerous chances to avoid extra time all together, none better than Chase’s opportunity from the penalty spot in the 62nd minute. After missing wide left, she let out a grunt for everyone to hear.
“That was really embarrassing, and I got really upset about that,” Chase said. “But I’m just glad I finished it in the end. It was awesome.”
“I said she owed us one,” Brantley said with a laugh, referring to Chase’s PK miss. “You definitely want to move on and have a short memory after that and just keep playing. We practice those and she makes them in practice but you know, it just happens.”
After 80 minutes of not finding the back of the net, Brantley’s message to her team was simple. Finish.
And that’s exactly what Chase did.
“It was really good. We really needed this to give us confidence for this season,” Chase said.
The Pirates (1-1) fired 14 shots and had six corner kicks throughout the contest. Stone, who displayed speed at the top of Platte County’s 4-4-2 formation, registered five shots. Junior forward Alexis Guillory recorded two shots.
Chase’s goal was also the Pirates’ first goal of the season. Platte County is working to replace a chunk of scoring that graduated in the spring or are now unavailable due to injury.
Forward Hanna Hall is now at Rockhurst and forward Destinee Smith is at Allen County (Kan.) Community College, while Hannah Valentine, a first-team all-conference pick, tore her ACL during the recent basketball season.
“We need a goalscorer, we lost ours from last year, so we need someone to step up this year when we get our chances,” Brantley said.
Brantley said Stone has shown promise as a newcomer up top.
“Coming out, we noticed really quick that she doesn’t play timid like maybe a freshman would,” Brantley said. “She’s just a player out there and she’s one that we can really put anywhere. She started out in the back during tryouts, but she moved herself up, so yeah we’re using her in that attack and she doesn’t back down. She has the speed, technical ability and physical ability to work and play up there.”
Next, Platte County plays Blue Springs, 2-1 winners over Belton, at 3 p.m. Wednesday for fifth place.
Staley 2, Platte County 0
The Pirates registered just three shots in a season-opening loss to Staley on Saturday, March 16 at Platte County High School.
Staley junior Hailey Faubion found the back of the net to put the Falcons on the board seven minutes into the contest. Faubion was a first team all-state selection a season ago.
Freshman Ruby Henson capped Staley’s scoring with a goal in the 43rd minute, just three minutes into the second half. Sophomore Gabby Lopez notched the assist.
Tallying shots for Platte County were Chase, sophomore Kylene Loy and freshman Paige Chase.
Park Hill 2, Park Hill South 0
RIVERSIDE, Mo. — Park Hill opened its state title defense with a victory against rival Park Hill South on Friday, March 15 at the district stadium at Park Hill South.
After a scoreless first half, the Trojans scored both goals in first five minutes of the second half.
Avery Mertz opener her sophomore campaign with goal in the 42nd minute. Mertz scored off a corner kick. A Park Hill South defender tried to head it away from the back post, but the ball appeared to have crossed the line before her header deflected into the top netting.
Two minutes later, sophomore forward Jayden Dorrell provided Park Hill a two-goal advantage.
Senior midfielder Ayana Weissenfluh created the scoring opportunity when she received a pass approximately 40 yards from goal, shaking two defenders before whipping in a pass that the Panthers’ failed to clear out in front of goal. Park Hill South keeper Lauren Longenecker saved a header before Alyssa Ramos dropped one off for Dorrell, who blasted it past Longenecker.
The Trojans and Panthers each had six shots on target. Park Hill had six corner kicks to Park Hill South’s two.
“(This was a) tough loss for us obviously because it’s a rival and our first game, but I’m extremely excited for this season,” Panthers coach Jared Byrne said. “It was a great game back and forth, but unfortunately the ball just didn’t bounce our way.”
The Trojans have another intriguing early-season contest on Friday, March 22. Park Hill hosts conference foe Lee’s Summit West at 6:30 p.m. in a rematch of last season’s Class 4 title match.
The Panthers host Fort Osage at 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 26.