Sanchez nets late winners against both Ruskin, Belton to push Platte County back over .500

A string of comebacks have revived the season.

Now, Platte County scored twice in the closing minutes of the second half to come away with a 2-1 win over Belton on Wednesday at Pirate Stadium. Platte County still must address the issue of allowing goals to fall behind in each of the last eight games, but four consecutive victories have followed a run of four straight losses during that stretch.

Platte County sits at 10-9 overall, back over .500 for the second time this season, with just two games left in the regular season.

“It’s nice that we don’t quit, and we’re fighting back,” Platte County coach Ashlyn Brantley said. “But, yes, we don’t want to dig ourselves a hole to get out of.”

The recent four-game losing streak started at Belton, which led beginning to end in an eventful 4-3 victory in Belton.

Platte County rebuilt momentum despite finding ways to fall behind in wins over Raytown, William Chrisman, Ruskin and Belton — the last three all at home. Belton led 1-0 after converting a penalty kick in the 52nd minute, and Platte County started to run out of time until senior midfielder Ian Mathews’ long-range shot from about 30 yards out forged a tie with a little over 13 minutes left in regulation.

“The fact we have multiple players who can put the ball in the goal is always a good thing,” Brantley said. “Even in the first half, we were creating those opportunities so it was good that we continued to create them in the second. (Ian’s goal) definitely gave us some more energy.”

Just over 2 minutes later, Platte County took the lead on a setup from the top offensive player each of the past two seasons. Cameron Habel, a fourth-year starting midfielder, played a dangerous cross into the middle after dribbling toward the end line on the left side of the goal. The loose ball eventually fell to senior forward Andi Sanchez, who collected and awkwardly poked a shot home to provide the 2-0 advantage.

Platte County continued to play without junior forward Camden Noller, who continues to miss time with a back injury. That increased opportunities for sophomore Kamden Roy — the starter up top during the win streak — plus senior midfielders Chaz Cox and Thien Nguyen to factor into the attack.

“Any goal, even if it’s an ugly goal, is a goal so it counts just the same,” Brantley said.

Platte County freshman goalkeeper Cooper Miles made three saves with the only goal allowed coming on the penalty kick. He earned the start with sophomore Jack Girdner’s status uncertain after suffering a wrist injury two days earlier against Ruskin.

For the third straight game, Platte County allowed just one goal with the defensive backline heavily relying on the starting unit of seniors Wally Baldwin and Westin Summers and sophomores Kai James-Gallimore and Sawyer Sullins. Baldwin and James-Gallimore have been central all season with Summers and Sullins on the outside.

Platte County improved to 7-5 in Suburban Conference White Division play by avenging the prior loss to Belton. Platte County closes the regular season at Fort Osage on Monday and at Grain Valley on Wednesday. The Pirates lost the first meeting with each of those teams.

After that, Platte County moves into Class 4 in the postseason for the first time. The Pirates play at third-seeded Liberty North (12-7) in the first round of the Class 4 District 8 tournament on November 3.

“That’s where we want to be getting toward the end of the season,” Brantley said. “We’re recognizing we’re in these games, and they’ve been close but we’ve got to make sure we’re giving teams respect and credit but know we can be right there with them when we want to be.”

Platte County 2, Ruskin 1

After honoring 12 players on senior night, the Pirates held Ruskin scoreless for the final 63-plus minutes in an even more dramatic comeback victory Monday night at Pirate Stadium.

Habel provided Platte County’s equalizer with a solo effort in the 76th minutes, placing a shot into the lower left corner. Sanchez also accounted for the winner against Ruskin with Habel on the assist for the Pirates with just 2:41 left in regulation.

Girdner started in goal and made a team-high four saves but suffered an injury while making one. Miles came on and made three saves and kept Platte County’s deficit at 1-0 until halftime, but due to playing time limits, he could not play the second half. That forced Summers into making his varsity debut as a goalkeeper, and he finished with a pair of saves in a memorable victory.

Platte County’s senior class includes Habel, Baldwin, Matthews, Cox, Nguyen, Summers, Sanchez, Abe Norman, Dylan Musel, Logan Jones, Jacob Hein and Brooke Ayiche. In addition to Habel’s four years, Baldwin, Matthews and Norman have started the majority of the past two seasons.