Platte County sophomore midfielder Lucas Walton dribbles upfield against Fort Osage on Monday night at Pirate Stadium.
Platte County’s 8-0 mercy-rule victory over William Chrisman on Wednesday night featured a season-best for goals and just the third shutout of an up-and-down season. The Pirates have continued to overcome absences and stopped a two-game losing skid with the most recent result.
Five different players factored into the scoring with sophomore midfielder Lucas Walton recording a first career hat trick and sophomore Austin Claxton adding a brace for Platte County, which improved to 6-8 overall with just three away games left in the regular season. The Pirates were up 5-0 at halftime then invoked the mercy rule with three more goals in the first 20 minutes of the second half.
Claxton poked home a rebound off of a free kick from Platte County sophomore midfielder Elijah Smith just before the midway point of the second half to finish off William Chrisman in the Suburban Conference White Division matchup.
Walton scored the opener in the 13th minute and then provided the assist with a through ball to set up Platte County junior forward Kayden Roy’s lone goal just over five minutes later. Claxton’s rebound chip, and Smith’s shot into the left upper 90 came right on top of each other in the 25th and 26th minutes.
The second for Walton came just over 8 minutes before halftime.
Platte County senior forward Camden Noller heads home a goal against Fort Osage on Monday at Pirate Stadium.
Platte County sophomore Ayden Neely made a penalty kick just over 3 minutes into the second half, and Walton’s volley in the 57th minute finished off his hat trick. The Pirates’ starting defensive backline included seniors Wyatt Beeson and Kaden Kampmeyer plus juniors Sawyer Sullins and Ethan Quick while junior Josiah O’Rourke continued to factor in as a substitute while coming back from a knee injury that cost him the majority of this season.
William Chrisman did not produce a single shot on goal with Platte County junior goalkeeper Jack Girdner having little involvement in the shutout — second in conference play. The Pirates go into next week’s road games against Truman (4-11) and Belton (12-2) with a 2-2 record in White Division play.
Fort Osage 5, Platte County 2
The Indians bolted to a four-goal lead and saw the advantage cut in half before ultimately holding on for a conference victory Monday at Pirate Stadium.
Platte County struck back in the 48th and 49th minutes with goals from Camden Noller on a header and Smith slotting home a loose ball — both off of corners. Girdner made 13 saves for the Pirates, who were down 3-0 at halftime and then allowed a late goal to create the final deficit.
Fort Osage currently sits at 14-1 overall in a breakout season.
