Platte County received a small preview of what might await in this year’s postseason during the first two games of the Park Hill Fall Classic then tried to take a positive away from the second half of a loss in the third and final round robin matchup Thursday at Park Hill District Soccer Complex in Riverside. The Pirates went 0-3 overall while trying to break in players looking to make an impact in this year’s starting lineup.
Platte County senior midfielder Ian Mathews looks for space while dribbling against Lincoln Prep in a Park Hill Fall Classic matchup Thursday at Park Hill District Soccer Complex in Riverside.
Park Hill, Blue Springs South and Lincoln Prep combined to outscore Platte County 10-1 in the three games.
With plenty of experience on the roster, Platte County still struggled to find footing in a 2-0 loss to Park Hill on Monday and a 4-0 loss to Blue Springs South on Tuesday. The Pirates allowed the first three goals and ended up with a 4-1 loss to Lincoln Prep on Thursday but did briefly close the gap to two when senior midfielder Ian Mathews pulled one back with a well-struck shot from the top of the box in the 61st minutes.
Lincoln Prep added the fourth with less than 6 minutes left in the matchup to account for the final score.
Platte County sophomore goalkeeper Jack Girdner received his first three starts, taking over for standout Paul Havemeier — the No. 1 choice each of the past two seasons and the beneficiary of some experience in 2022, as well. Girdner made six saves against Lincoln Prep, while freshman Cooper Miles played the second half and added six more.
In the best offensive showing of the week, Platte County managed five shots total and put two on frame, including the goal for Mathews after Lincoln Prep took a 3-0 lead into halftime. The Pirates faced consistent pressure on a defensive backline that includes returning starters in senior Wally Baldwin and sophomore Kai James-Gallimore as the central pairing, while senior Westin Summers and sophomore Sawyer Sullins were on the outside.
James-Gallimore shifts inside after playing a pivotal role last year for Platte County, which reached the Class 3 District 8 semifinals but now faces a move up to Class 4. The Pirates have extensive experience in midfield with seniors Mathews, Cameron Habel, Abe Norman, Thien Nguyen and Chaz Cox plus junior Ryan Waldman and sophomore Josiah O’Rourke but must find the right combinations to support junior Camden Noller and sophomore Kayden Roy — the top choices up top so far this season.
Platte County didn’t have a shot on target against either Park Hill or Blue Springs South — both Class 4 schools. Girdner made 10 saves in both of those games before splitting time with Miles against Lincoln Prep.
Looking to bounce back, Platte County plays at home twice this week, starting with a Park Hill rematch on Monday before starting Suburban Conference White Division play on Wednesday against Fort Osage.
