KANSAS CITY, Mo. — After another disappointing start to a tournament, Platte County again found consolation.
A 1-0 victory on Saturday, April 22 at North Kansas City District Activities Complex came in the seventh-place game of the Oak Park-NKC Invitational, which featured 10 teams. They were 0-1-1 in two pool games, but just like in the Platte County Invitational to start the year, they closed with a win.
“We came out a little slow, but it started to pick up as the tournament went on,” Brantley said. “Today, the first half I thought was the best half of the tournament that we’ve had, and we were able to get one in.”
Platte County couldn’t overcome a 2-0 halftime deficit in an opening loss to Excelsior Springs and then settled for a scoreless draw in the second pool game.
Playing a third game in three days, the Pirates found early energy, and junior reserve Haylie Jerome poked home a rebound in the 25th minute to put them up 1-0. They continued to pressure with freshman Coryn Stephenson, sophomore Katelyn Evans and junior Hanna Hall also creating chances in a busy first half.
NICK INGRAM/Citizen photo
Platte County junior Haylie Jerome (3) knocks in the only goal in the Pirates’ 1-0 win against Maryville in the seventh-place game of Oak Park-NKC Invitational on Saturday, April 22 at North Kansas City District Activities Complex in Kansas City, Mo.
“We were able to get our outside mids and outside backs in on the attack, and they were working really well together, hitting some of those crosses in or just going in and taking shots themselves,” Brantley said. “Our ball movement in the first half was really on today, and those central mids were looking for the switch, and we were getting in behind them quickly, so it created many opportunities for us.
“We just need to work on finishing those opportunities.”
Platte County didn’t finish again with gusty winds in the early morning playing a factor. The crosswind caused problems on corner kicks and crosses.
“We just looked to keep the ball on the ground as much as possible and just play smart that way,” Brantley said.
Platte County 0, Oak Park 0
The Pirates settled for a frustrating scoreless draw in their second of two pool games.
On Friday, March 21, at North Kansas City District Activities Complex in Kansas City, Mo., Platte County controlled all of the attack but couldn’t find a goal. Oak Park did not have a shot on goal, and freshman Jaylee Wiedmer recorded the shutout.
Excelsior Springs 2, Platte County 1
The Pirates were unable to overcome a two-goal deficit in their pool opener Thursday, March 20 at North Kansas City District Activities Complex in Kansas City, Mo.
Playing with the wind, Excelsior Springs scored twice in the first half and held on late despite Destinee Smith’s goal early in the second half. The Tigers scored on each of their first two shots, and Platte County’s chances were limited.
Smith converted on a pass from junior midfielder Bailey Bologna in the 53rd minute to bring Platte County within 2-1. Hannah Valentine, a sophomore midfielder, and Smith both had potential tying shots on chances go high over the bar in the remainder of the game.
OTHER GAMES
Platte County 10, Winnetonka 0
The Pirates made it two straight wins with a Suburban Conference Blue Division victory Monday, April 20 at Pirate Stadium.
In both matchups between the two teams this season, Platte County hit the 10-goal mark for a shortened victory. Seven different players scored with Bologna and Hall tallying two apiece.
Hall scored both of hers in the first half, along with markers for Stephenson, senior Kianna Castro, freshman Alexis Guillory, Smith and Bologna to put Platte County up 7-0 at half.
Bologna, Valentine and senior Calle Boe had the second-half goals.
Platte County improved to 10-5-1 overall and 6-1 in Blue Division with the lone loss to Kearney.