An early schedule filled with larger opponents presented obvious challenges. Playing those out with a shorthanded roster and allowing early goals creates a need to weather the early setbacks and build for the postseason.
Platte County junior defender Sawyer Sullins heads a ball into the air against Oak Park on Tuesday night at Pirate Stadium.
Platte County’s 4-1 loss to Oak Park in Tuesday’s home opener included plenty of encouraging moments but not the desired confidence-building result. The Northmen scored the opener in 22 seconds and held a three-goal lead before the Pirates hit back through senior forward Camden Noller in the 67th minute.
In the end, Platte County dropped to 1-3 overall with all three losses to Class 4 opponents.
Oak Park speedy senior winger Rodney Harris scored twice, including converting a solo run down the right side in the opening minute to put the Northmen up 1-0. The Pirates eventually settled in behind Noller’s strong central play. He created the best two chances of the first half.
Those included a shot sent high and wide off of a cross from emerging Platte County sophomore midfielder Lucas Walton an putting a free kick on frame that led to a rebound. However, the Pirates missed out on the potential equalizer when junior forward Kayden Roy couldn’t steer the followup attempt on target.
Platte County went into the second half still behind 1-0, and Oak Park sophomore goalkeeper kept the lead intact after beating away a well-struck shot from Noller at the near post. This proved pivotal when the Northmen used a restart off of a foul at the other end to double the lead in the 49th minute.
Platte County sophomore midfielder Lucas Walton hits a shot against Oak Park on Tuesday night at Pirate Stadium.
Oak Park went up 3-0 when Harris scored off of a corner midway through the second half.
Noller provided the big bright spot on one of his more mundane chances. He rolled a left-footed shot all the way across the box and watched the ball ping off the far right post and into the net for Platte County’s fourth goal of the season. The Pirates were unable to draw closer than 3-1, and Oak Park converted a penalty kick in the final minute of regulation to provide the final margin.
Cotten finished with seven saves in Oak Park’s shutout.
Platte County went into the season minus junior central defender Kai James-Gallimore and senior attacking midfielder Ryan Waldman due to knee injuries. The Pirates have since lost junior Josiah O’Rourke to a knee injury, leaving senior first-year starter Kaden Kampmeyer and junior Sawyer Sullins in the center of the backline.
A third-year contributor and second-year starter, Sullins shifted in from the outside, leaving juniors Isaac Johnson and Ethan Quick as the top choices at left and right back. Kampmeyer has started playing at the back as a sweeper in front of junior Jack Girdner, who made six saves against Oak Park.
Platte County has allowed the first goal in all four matches so far this season, including a 5-2 comeback victory over Lincoln Prep. The schedule does not necessarily ease for the Pirates, but a return to Class 3 District 8 does await in the postseason.
A year ago, Platte County shifted up to Class 4 and bowed out in the first round.
