Since opening the season with three consecutive losses, the Platte County girls soccer team has shown life through a vibrant offense with three wins in its last four matches.
Addison Stone sends in a cross during Platte County’s first win of the season against Truman on March 30.
The Pirates were bounced out of the Platte County Invitational after losing their first two matches, but the third match of the season, a 3-2 road defeat to Grain Valley, provided the Pirates with some hope. While Platte County fell in defeat, sophomore Addison Stone scored a first-half equalizer before pulling the Pirates back in the game in the second half with another strike.
Platte County got its first win of the season on home turf on March 30 against Truman, winning 4-1. Stone led the way once again as she opened the scoring midway through the first half before freshman Greta Espeer scored from a corner kick, and after Truman got back within a goal just before halftime, Stone struck twice more in quick succession in the second half to seal the victory for the Pirates.
Platte County freshman Ella Miller has contributed to a strong offensive showing for the Pirates in conference play early on this season.
The first shutout of the Pirates’ season came on April 2, when they defeated William Chrisman 4-0. Four goals in the first half proved to be plenty as freshman Ella Miller scored the first two goals in the opening six minutes before Stone added a third less than a minute later, and junior Macy Doll finished off the scoring late in the first half to set up a scoreless second half.
While Platte County remained unbeaten at home in conference play, it still faced road struggles. The Pirates suffered a second road loss this season on April 7, falling 3-1 to Fort Osage.
Platte County’s most dominant performance of the season so far came on April 9, when they continued their tradition of relentlessness over Ruskin with an 11-0 mercy rule victory at halftime. The Pirates quickly raced out to a 5-0 lead in the opening 10 minutes with scores from Dickens, Stone, Miller and freshman Mary Dellinger before Doll, Emily Fadler and Lilly Stark added to the score with Stone and Dickens each finishing off their hat tricks in the final 10 minutes of the half.
Platte County’s absolute dominance over Ruskin has stretched across 11 consecutive games since 2009. During the span, the Pirates have outscored the Eagles 112-0.
Despite a youthful roster, Platte County has managed to score goals in bunches. They hope to continue that growth in the weeks ahead before a challenging district that includes Kearney, Smithville and defending district champion St. Pius X.
Three more conference matchups are slated on the near horizon for Platte County, including road tests against Raytown and Belton. Platte County will also look to defend its crown in the North Kansas City Invitational April 23-25.