Platte County still seeking optimal form, signature win to turn season’s tide

The final connections seem within reach but agonizingly elusive to this point in the season.

Platte County suffered back-to-back shutout losses to quality Class 3 opponents this week, giving up too many quality chances and not creating enough on the other end. Park Hill scored once on each side of halftime on Tuesday at Pirate Stadium on the way to a 2-0 victory, which dropped the Pirates to 6-8 overall.

With a roster featuring plenty of experience but significant areas to address, Platte County has hovered around .500 in recent weeks while still looking for a signature win.

Park Hill took advantage of two distinct breakdowns in a defense playing without junior right back Annabel Beeman (foot). In the 21st minute, Maryn Hudson sent in a cross from the left that reached the back post for senior Katelynn Young to hammer in with a strong right-footed shot. That ended up being the only goal the Trojans needed.

Platte County junior goalkeeper Finley Kaser totaled seven saves, but Park Hill outshot the Pirates 9-3. The Trojans didn’t double the lead until the 58th minute when they countered off a corner kick at the other end, and sophomore Jovie Lavin split the middle of defense, dribbled around onrushing Kaser and finished into an open net.

Overall, Platte County’s defense, which continued to feature senior Alex Beeman and junior Madison Palmer in the middle, held up well in front of Kaser. The Pirates kept senior Kaelyn Bellach on the left side, while freshman Caroline Linn returned to the starting lineup in place of Beeman, injured the night before in a loss to Blue Springs South.

Platte County also enjoyed decent spells of possession, especially early, in what looked a potentially even matchup.

In the first minute, Platte County moved into the attacking third, and junior midfielder Brooklynne Jenni, moved up into the middle of midfield and out of the defensive role for much of this matchup, let a shot fly from about 22 yards out. That approach to shots from distance paid off in recent wins, but this attempt ended up just wide right.

Kaser kept Platte County level in the 15th minute, going up with a determined leap and using both hands to paw away a ball dangerously bounding high toward the goal. Just 6 minutes later, the Pirates were behind, and the best chance of the first half to equalize came moments later when junior Lily Kytasaari — a midfield engine receiving an occasional chance to play up front solo at forward against Park Hill — took a well-struck shot from outside the box. Trojans senior goalkeeper Maggie Peterson went low to her left and beat away the shot for a corner kick that came to nothing.

Playing a fifth game in six days, Platte County started to struggle to link together passes and created few clear opportunities in the attacking third.

However, Jenni pounced on a Park Hill turnover in a dangerous spot, and under considerable pressure, her right-footed shot from inside the 18-yard box dragged all the way across the face of goal from right to left and did not require a save. The final few shots for the Pirates were all deep efforts from Kytasaari and junior starting forward Rylee Burris in the closing minutes, hoping to produce a goal to add some late intrigue.

With Jenni playing a more central role, Platte County started freshman Mila Cucchiara in the defensive midfield with senior Addison Sloan and Saige Dickens on the wings. The Pirates brought senior Marissa Orellana off the bench, and her best moment also came late when she created a chance for a cross in from the left that couldn’t directly find an attacker.

Already minus one defender, Platte County also lost sophomore reserve midfielder Carissa Bacon to a potential head injury in the second half, further thinning the bench options.

Blue Springs South 6, Platte County 0

Entering off a third-place finish in the North Kansas City Tournament, the Pirates produced just one shot on goal in a road loss to one of the top teams in the metro Monday night.

Kaser totaled a dazzling 22 saves but faced constant pressure, especially early. Blue Springs South scored twice in the first four minutes and took a 4-0 lead into halftime. Platte County looked much more organized in the second half but trailed 5-0 after 45 minutes. The Jaguars’ final goal came in the 76th minute.

Seven of Platte County’s eight losses have come to teams with winning records. The only win over a team above .500 came against Oak Park (9-3) in the opening round of the North Kansas City Tournament.