Schrick’s 1st-half goal stands up for Platte County in tight 1-0 nonconference victory over Staley

Reinforcements arrived for Platte County this week and paid immediate dividends. The Pirates ran a winning streak to three with a pair of victories.

With practice minimums hits, Platte County welcomed senior Fabian Risager into the central of defense and produced the first clean sheet of the season in a tenuous 1-0 victory over Staley in Tuesday’s home opener at Pirate Stadium. Risager, a foreign exchange student from Denmark, then scored the lone goal on a second-half header to help the Pirates start Suburban Conference White Division play with a 1-0 shutout of Raytown the next night in Raytown.

In addition, Platte County sophomore forward Jonathan Ibarra provided some depth up top as a new look took shape for the Pirates after a 1-2 showing in the season-opening Park Hill Kickoff Classic.

“I think we’re still trying to work out on the formation, the starting lineup and trying to figure things out as a team,” said Platte County senior midfielder AJ Schrick, who scored a first half goal on an assist from senior forward Gavin Nichols in the win over Staley.

With Risager active and available, Platte County put him in the center of a three-man backline with sophomore returning starter Jackson Goodale on the right and senior Daniel Bunge on the left against Staley. The Pirates played mostly with four defenders in the Park Hill tournament and allowed at least one goal in all three games — losses to Raymore-Peculiar and Blue Springs South and a 2-1 win over Lincoln Prep in the seventh game.

Platte County has also yet to be shut out this season. To keep the streak alive, the Pirates made the most of just five shots on target against Staley and survived a somewhat stagnant second half on offense.

“I think (Staley’s) defense was really solid,” Schrick said. “I think they crowded the top of the box a lot, which is where we’re probably strongest is the top-of-the-box shooting. I think our behind-the-line goalscoring doesn’t come too often, so I think a lot of passing plays and then a lay off to a shot tends to be our best bet. So yeah, that’s how I feel where a lot of our goal-scoring opportunities (will come), and I think that’s what they’re strongest defending.”

The level of difficulty went up early in the second half.

Down 1-0 going into halftime, Staley created an abrupt breakaway chance in the 45th minute with Platte County junior goalkeeper Paul Havemeier forced to come out off of his line. The Falcons’ shot appeared to carom off the side of his head and all the way out over the right touch line for a throw-in.

Havemeier eventually exited the game due to injury with two saves, forcing junior Aidan Murray on in relief. He also made two saves for what ended up a combined cleansheet.

“It’s wonderful, man,” Schrick said. “It’s nice knowing we have other options, too. I think both keepers played great. There’s not really much more to say to that.”

Platte County created minimal chances but also didn’t allow any more clean looks at goal. The Pirates’ best shot at doubling the lead came in the 73rd minute when senior forward Josh Nelson, the starting partner up top with 2021 leading scorer Nichols, burst through the middle of Staley’s defense. A Falcons defender hauled him down and initially drew a red card, only for the referee to rescind the ejection and instead let him off with a yellow card warning.

Schrick lined up over the free kick from 22 yards out but ended up sending a shot just over the bar.

“I’m like if I hit this right, it can go in, end the game,” Schrick said. “But sadly, it didn’t hit. A little lower, maybe it would have gone in, but it happens to the best of us.”

Staley created one final scramble in front of net in the final minute — at first appearing to have an open header at the back post. However, the ball ended up in front of the goal with Goodale eventually coming across to hit a booming clearance that allowed for time to run out on the victory.

The defense mostly looked organized with senior Connor Currence and sophomore Andrew Habel playing in defensive midfield roles, giving freedom for Schrick, junior Julian Nemeth and senior Andrew Reinsch to engineer offense with the speedy Nelson and targetable Nichols up top.

“The goal ended up having a lot of connections down over here,” Schrick said. “I hit an outside the foot shot, bottom right, and it went in.”

Platte County’s moment on offense came in the 18th minute with Nichols working down the left side and putting in a cross to find Schrick on the right. He fired from inside the box to stake the Pirates to a 1-0 lead that held the rest of the way.

Schrick and Nichols have accounted for two goals apiece out of Platte County’s seven total so far this season.

Platte County 1, Raytown 0

Schrick’s cross led to Risager’s goal in the 61st minute to break a scoreless deadlock in Wednesday’s conference matchup.

After leaving in the second half against Staley, Havemeier did not play for Platte County, and Murray recorded the first solo cleansheet of his career with eight saves. The Pirates produced 10 shots on goal but didn’t breakthrough until well after halftime.

Raytown put six shots on target in the first half to keep Murray busy, but the offense slowed after halftime.

Platte County went over .500 for the first time this season at 3-2. The Pirates go on the road to play Liberty North on Tuesday and then continue White Division play at home against Belton on Wednesday.