Platte County needed until the fifth game of the season to score a goal, and yet, the early development of a youthful roster remains encouraging. Now, the Pirates must balance accentuating the positives against the potential frustrations that come with a winless start.
Platte County sophomore midfielder Giada Cucchiara eyes the ball against Smithville on Thursday at Pirate Stadium.
Smithville made a two-goal lead stand up on a windy Thursday at Pirate Stadium, holding on for a 2-1 victory in a nonconference matchup. Platte County’s goal came from senior forward Sloan Kassen on an assist from sophomore Lauren Stone just moments after going behind, and both teams went scoreless in the second half to leave the Pirates with another difficult result.
Platte County (0-5) went scoreless in three straight losses to open the season in the Platte County Invitational and then lost 1-0 to Staley on Wednesday night.
“Coming out the way we did in the tournament, it definitely hurt us, but the way we showed last night (against Staley) you would’ve thought it was our first game and we had no losses,” Platte County coach Ashlyn Brantley said. “I definitely think they are bringing the confidence and know they’re a good team.”
Smithville offered little reprieve and jumped to a 2-0 lead with an awkward goal off of a corner kick in the fourth minute and then doubling the advantage in the 18th minute. The second also came off of a set piece with a long free kick leading to a shot from the edge of the 18-yard box that beat Platte County sophomore goalkeeper Finley Kaser, who initially came out to try and collect the ball only to have a defender head the ball away leading to the Warriors’ shot.
Platte County sophomore goalkeeper Finley Kaser rolls the ball to a teammate against Smithville on Thursday at Pirate Stadium.
However, Platte County came back off the kickoff following the second goal and cut the deficit in half.
Kassen started with a long run down the left side before playing the ball off to Stone in what became a give-and-go. Kassen’s right-footed shot from the left side buried into the side netting.
“It gets us on the board for the season,” Brantley said. “I think they’re working together. Now, we’ve just got to bring that attacking side into it.”
Platte County’s revamped offense featuring Kassen, junior Carmen Gentilia and the sophomore duo of Stone and Lily Kytasaari have faced tough competition while also trying to replace all-state forwards Riley Smith and Hannah Stone. The Pirates produced six shots total but struggled to generate chances in the second half while playing into the wind.
The four scoreless games for Platte County already this season match the total from all of last season when the Pirates reached the Class 3 District 8 title game.
“We’ve been showing up each game; we’re doing what we need to do,” Brantley said. “Now we’ve got to finish. Even in practice, we’re not just shooting; we’re finishing — changing our mindset, changing our verbiage just so that we can be focused.”
Platte County junior center back Alex Beeman defends against a Smithville attacker Thursday at Pirate Stadium.
Kaser made six saves total, including a sprawling punch going to her right in 63d minute to keep Platte County within a goal. The Pirates have allowed only one goal in three of the losses and now two in defeat to Smithville.
Platte County went into the season with Kaser back, but a few unexpected departures altered the defensive look. The Pirates have shifted sophomore Giada Cucchiara in to the pivotal defensive midfield spot all-stater Paige Chase occupied for the past three seasons, while junior Alex Beeman now pairs in the center of defense with senior Cosette Stephenson, who shifts over from right back. That’s put sophomores Annabel Beeman (right side) and Madison Palmer (left side) as first-year starters on the outside.
“When I say on the defensive side, I mean we’re starting from the forwards all the way back; it’s all of us,” Brantley said. “But yeah, our backline is different. Everyone has to get used to playing with new people in new places. Even up top, we’re trying to figure out who do we want up there and have moved people around each game. It still hasn’t come to where we have that signature lineup we keep going back to. But I give it to the girls; they’re playing hard wherever I put them and that’s what we need right now.”
Platte County’s difficult start also now includes head-to-head losses with both Smithville and Kearney — former Suburban Conference Blue Division rivals — that have a chance to impact Class 3 District 8 seeding. The Pirates will play Kearney again Monday and could see Smithville in the North Kansas City Invitational but have ground to make up.
Staley 1, Platte County 0
The Falcons made a goal in the fifth minute stand up Wednesday at North Kansas City District Activities Complex in Kansas City.
Platte County managed only four shots on goal, but Kaser made four saves to keep hopes alive of an equalizer. Staley finished fourth in the Platte County Invitational but did not see the Pirates, who dropped into the consolation bracket and placed eighth with the three losses.
