As the missed chances piled up, Platte County became more and more susceptible to heartbreak.
Platte County sophomore midfielder Elijah Smith takes a penalty kick during overtime against Winnetonka on Tuesday night at Pirate Stadium.
Winnetonka came up with a pair of goals against the run of play in a 2-1 overtime victory Tuesday night at Pirate Stadium, depositing the sudden-death winner in the back of the Pirates’ net in the 97th minute. The Griffins twice delivered on scoring opportunities with swift counterattacks to end up with a comeback win after senior goalkeeper Damian Perez made 11 saves in a standout performance.
Platte County dropped to a 4-6 overall with a second straight loss but the first of the season against a potential Class 3 District 8 opponent. The Pirates were 4-0 in those matchups prior with wins over Lincoln Prep, Smithville, Kearney and Benton.
In overtime for the second time in just over a week, Platte County didn’t survive sudden-death OT this time after beating Kearney in a nine-round penalty shootout on the previous Monday. The Pirates ended up with just one goal while using an increasingly shorthanded lineup.
The biggest moment and chance to survive the unexpectedly close matchup came during the first 10-minute half of overtime.
Platte County sophomore midfielder Lucas Walton dribbles upfield against Winnetonka on Tuesday night at Pirate Stadium.
In the 87th minute and still tied 1-1, Platte County senior forward Camden Noller ended up with an unobstructed shot on goal in a half breakaway. Perez made a save, and a wild scramble at the far post saw junior midfielder Tyler Bagwell unable to redirect a one-time attempt at a rebound on frame.
After the ball rolled out of bounds, the official signaled a handball on Winnetonka inside the 18-yard box.
Platte County coach Ashlyn Brantley sent sophomore midfielder Elijah Smith to take the kick, and he ended up involved in some gamesmanship with Perez near the penalty spot while Minnetonka’s coaches received an explanation of the call. Smith eventually fired high and left with the attempt ringing off the crossbar and sending water from the persistent rain flying into the air.
Winnetonka took advantage at the 3:03 mark of the second half of overtime with a breakaway that concluded on a shot that left Platte County junior goalkeeper Jack Girdner sprawling. A week after playing hero with four penalty kick saves between regulation and the shootout against Kearney, he finished with five saves.
Platte County’s injuries and absences have continued to pile up. The Pirates lost both senior midfielder Ryan Waldman and junior defender Kai James-Gallimore to offseason knee injuries that required surgery. Neither will play this fall, and junior defender Josiah O’Rourke (knee), junior forward Kayden Roy sophomore midfielder Adam Krahenbill (head) were all out against Winnetonka.
Yet, Platte County sophomore midfielder Lucas Walton’s corner kick provided the assist on sophomore midfielder Elijah Smith’s header goal with just under 3 minutes left in the first half. The Pirates’ 1-0 advantage held until the 54th minute when Winnetonka leveled.
The teams finished regulation and both halves of overtime tied at 1-1 despite Platte County piling up 12 shots on goal.
Platte County entered off of a 6-1 loss to Grain Valley the night before and scheduled road game against Liberty on Thursday ended up postponed due to persistent and heavy rains in the forecast. The Pirates have twice been at .500 this season after starting 0-2 in the Park Hill Kickoff Classic.
