Platte County continues to delve deeper into the roster than could have been expected going into the season.
Platte County sophomore Lauren Stone dribbles around a Pembroke Hill defender Monday at Pirate Stadium.
While uncertainty continues to reign, results haven’t suffered. Platte County closed this past week with a pair of shutouts over Belton (1-0) and William Chrisman (3-0) on the road in Suburban Conference White Division play. The Pirates remained without sophomore and linchpin central defensive midfielder Giada Cucchiara (shin) and senior central defender Cosette Stephenson (head), while only welcoming back senior midfielder Marissa Orellana in a limited role after a recent back injury.
Platte County continues to pair sophomore Madison Palmer in the middle of defense with junior Alex Beeman, while junior Kaelyn Bellach and now sophomore Alivia Juarez have received time at left and right back. Similarly, the Pirates have used both senior Yaelis Rodriguez Castro and freshman Kaylee Dixon as options to replace Cucchiara, who underwent an MRI for a potential stress fracture in her leg.
Stephenson remains in concussion protocol after taking a shot to the head in a recent loss to Blue Springs South.
Platte County has also given increased playing time to freshman Saige Dickens and junior Addison Sloan with Orellana limited. Despite the upheaval, the Pirates sit with a 10-10 record entering Tuesday’s regular season finale against Grain Valley, which can wrap up an unbeaten conference title or be forced to split the crown with a loss.
On Thursday in Belton, Platte County used a first-half goal from sophomore Rylee Burris to eventually escape with a well-earned victory — second of the year in the White Division battle of Pirates. Platte County senior winger Sloan Kassen opened up Burris for a run in on goal in the 32nd minute, and the 1-0 lead held up at the break and at the end of regulation thanks to sophomore Finley Kaser, who made eight saves for her ninth cleansheet of the season.
Platte County sophomore forward Rylee Burris traps a long ball from the goalkeeper Monday against Pembroke Hill at Pirate Stadium.
Platte County won the previous matchup between the two while at full strength in early April by a score of 4-0.
Platte County 3, William Chrisman 0
Kassen scored twice and produced the assist on the Pirates’ third goal Tuesday in Independence with all of the offense coming in the second half.
Having won the prior two matchups between the teams by scores of 4-0 and 2-0, Platte County didn’t lead until the 48th minute when Burris sent in a cross that first found Sloan, who touched over to Kassen for the finish. Kaser made lead stand up while facing minimal pressure and making only one save.
In the 68th minute, Platte County went up 2-0 when Kassen’s corner kick set up the first goal of the season for sophomore defensive back Annabel Beeman. The Pirates’ third came a minute later on a solo effort from Kassen, who hit a well-placed shot into the upper half of the goal.
Pembroke Hill 2, Platte County 1
The Pirates scored late through Kassen on Monday at Pirate Stadium but did not have enough time to produce an equalizer in a result important to Class 3 District 8 seeding.
Platte County freshman midfielder Saige Dickens battles for the ball against a Pembroke Hill player Monday at Pirate Stadium.
Pembroke Hill ended up with the No. 2 seed in the tournament, which starts this weekend. Platte County now opens at 3 p.m. vs. sixth-seeded Kansas City East in the first round with a win likely leading to a rematch with Pembroke Hill in next Monday’s semifinals.
Smithville earned the No. 1 seed, while Van Horn and Kearney match up in the 4/5 game.
Platte County brought Orellana back to the lineup in the game against Pembroke Hill but brought her off the bench nine days after injuring her back in a North Kansas City Tournament semifinal win over Kearney. However, the Raiders mostly dominated the offensive chances and took a 2-0 lead into the late stages of the matchup.
In the 77th minute, Platte County halved the deficit when sophomore Lauren Stone sent a seemingly innocuous pass to Kassen in the middle of the field, only to have her split the defense and quickly fire off a shot that pinged off the right post and into the net. The Pirates were suddenly within striking distance of forcing overtime when an awkward post-goal play added to the dramatics.
Platte County sophomore forward Lily Kytasaari charged into the Pembroke Hill goal to retrieve the ball, eager to return to the center circle and restart play. The Raiders goalkeeper dove into her lower leg in what ended up a bizarre competition to reach the ball first. The official briefly huddled and ultimately chose not to issue any cards, and play resumed.
In the remainder, Platte County unsuccessfully tried to create an additional opportunity and ended up with a 2-1 loss.
