Platte County senior Felix Victore had the game-winning goal with the Pirates’ fifth made penalty kick in double overtime against Grain Valley on Sept. 19.
Felix Victore broke out his dance moves in the aftermath of a two and a half hour, double overtime thriller when the senior faked out the Grain Valley goalkeeper and slipped the ball into the top right corner of the net to seal the game with the Pirates’ fifth made penalty kick (PK) on September 19.
With huge White Division implications on the line, neither team was able to lead by more than one goal throughout regulation and the contest went into overtime. When there was no score in the first period of extra minutes, the game entered double overtime where PKs happen.
Platte County had the first chance and Gavin Nichols took advantage, making the first PK to the left. Pirate goalkeeper Paul Havemeier stopped Grain Valley’s first PK attempt that, unbeknownst to the players at the time, ended up being a huge reason the Pirates won.
The Eagles and Pirates each converted on their following three PKs – with the likes of Connor Currence, A.J. Schrick and Joseph Ibarra scoring for the Pirates – to give Platte County a one goal advantage entering the final PK. If the Pirates made the last PK, the game was over, but if they missed it then the Eagles had a chance to tie it and extend the game.
It was Felix Victore’s turn in PKs and with the ball set at the right side of the goal, he ran in and faked like he was going to kick it left, then connected into the top right corner to score. His Pirate teammates rushed the field and chased Felix Victore down in celebratory fashion afterwards.
While Felix Victore had the walk-off goal, it was his brother – Ahoy Victore – who got things started and scored the opening goal of the contest to give the Pirates an early 1-0 margin. Grain Valley responded with back-to-back goals in less than a six-minute stint to go up 2-1, but Josh Nelson tied the game at two with less than seven minute left in the opening half.
With the game tied at 2-2 at the break, the Eagles retook the lead with a goal in the 49th minute. Nichols, who was the only Pirate to finish with a goal in regulation and a goal in double overtime, came up with a clutch score with less than 18 minutes to play to force overtime.