With almost no returners to the starting lineup, Platte County experienced the likely expected ups and downs in the opening weekend of the season.
Platte County senior Aidan Murray looks to hit a clearance against Lincoln Prep on Wednesday in a Park Hill Kickoff Classic matchup at Park Hill District Soccer Stadium in Riverside.
Three games in the Park Hill Kickoff Classic resulted in a pair of shutout losses sandwiched around a dominating victory over a fellow member of this year’s Class 3 District 8 field. In a 7-0 win against Lincoln Prep on Wednesday at Park Hill District Soccer Stadium in Riverside, five players factored in the scoring with Pirates senior forward Tug Thornton recording a hat trick.
Even the setbacks featured some encouraging signs.
On Tuesday, Platte County allowed an early goal in a rematch of last year’s Class 3 District 8 championship game but ultimately hung with Kansas City East, the defending state champions, in a 2-0 loss despite facing consistent pressure and creating few chances. Blue Springs South, a Class 4 opponent, rolled from the outset in Thursday’s Kickoff Classic finale in an 8-0 victory over the Pirates that ended early due to the eight-goal rule.
Platte County entered off of a 15-5 season that ended with a loss to East in the postseason and has recorded 10 straight winning seasons. However, the only full-time returning starters for the Pirates this fall are senior goalkeeper Paul Havemeier and junior midfielder Cameron Habel. The rest of the roster consists of experienced players like Thornton, fellow seniors Aidan Murray and Bresner Garcia and junior Abe Norman, newcomers to the program and youthful contributors.
Platte County junior William Babock hits a pass against Lincoln Prep on Wednesday in a Park Hill Kickoff Classic matchup at Park Hill District Soccer Stadium.
Coming off the loss to East, Platte County (1-2) started fast against Lincoln Prep with Thornton opening his account in the third minute before junior Thien Nguyen doubled the lead in the fifth minute. The 2-0 advantage held until moments before halftime when freshman Kayden Roy scored to send the Pirates into halftime up 3-0.
Platte County added four goals after halftime with Murray, who split time with Havemeier in goal in the early part of 2023, netting the first of his career shortly after the break. Thornton completed his hat trick with in the 52nd and 58th minutes with the latter coming on a penalty kick. In the 76th minute, Pirates sophomore Camden Noller recorded his first goal in just his second varsity match.
With three saves, Havemeier recorded his first cleansheet of the season after posting six a year ago. He posted 15 saves in the loss to East, which scored in the first minute and led 2-0 at halftime before being shut out in the second half. Against the Bears, Garcia managed Platte County’s only shot on goal in the second half. Thornton put up both of the Pirates attempts on frame in the loss to Blue Springs South, which scored the winner in the 59th minute — the sixth of the half for the Jaguars.
Havemeier made nine saves in the loss.
Platte County opens non-tournament play Monday at Park Hill before starting Suburban Conference White Division play on Wednesday at Fort Osage. The Pirates do not have a scheduled home game until September 23 against William Chrisman.
