Wildcats blank Fort Scott to win season opener

By Andy Brown
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Updated: September 4, 2019

Andy Brown / Louisburg Sports Zone

Sophomore Braden Yows heads the ball down the field Tuesday during the the team’s season opener against Fort Scott. Yows finished with four goals and an assist in the Wildcats’ 10-0 win over Fort Scott.

Losing to Fort Scott to begin its season a year ago was something that has stuck in the back of the minds of the Louisburg boys soccer team.

The setback was the start of a difficult 2018 campaign for the Wildcats, and one they have tried to learn from.

Consider it a lesson learned.

The Wildcats opened their 2019 season Tuesday when they hosted Fort Scott at Wildcat Stadium and they made sure not to let the same thing happen twice.

Louisburg scored six first half goals on its way to a 10-0 victory over the Tigers and put together the start it was looking for.

“It was nice to finally be done with preseason,” Louisburg coach Kyle Conley said. “The boys were hungry and ready. We talked about how we needed to come ready to go to avoid the upset we had last year. They boys were both mentally and physically ready to ensure that didn’t happen again. I love the energy the boys played with and how hard we played from start to finish.”

Newcomer Braden Yows provided the Wildcats with a boost right from the start. Yows, a sophomore, scored four goals – all in the first half – and added an assist in his first game for Louisburg.

Yows had a hat trick in the first 25 minutes of the match from the midfield spot and set the tone for the Louisburg.

“Braden is going to a really special player,” Conley said. “He played really well and has been a leader for us on and off the field. His vision is fantastic. I love how he is playing for his teammates, and of course, how hard he works day in and day out. He had a fantastic first game.”

**Logan Faulkner (13) goes up for a header with teammate Treston Carlson and heads the ball in for a goal.**

Yows wasn’t the only Wildcat to have a strong first game. Freshman Cade Gassman got going in the second half with two goals and also had two assists in his Wildcat debut.

Junior Treston Carlson scored his first of two goals late in the first half and added another late in the second half. Junior Logan Faulkner headed in a goal in the first half on a Yows throw-in from the side and sophomore Jaden Vohs invoked the mercy rule with the team’s 10^th goal late in the match.

Senior Colin Cook led the team, along with Gassman, with two assists on the night. Sophomores Hunter Rogers and Isaac Guetterman also finished with an assist.

**Senior David Perentis settles the ball Tuesday during the Wildcats’ season opener against Fort Scott.**

Louisburg dominated possession for much of the contest, but when the Tigers got looks, goalie Garrett Rolofson turned them away as the Louisburg senior had four saves in the shutout. The defensive back line of Toby Espina Roca, Luke Faulkner and Michael Seuferling were also vital in the shutout.

The win was, what the Wildcats hope, is the start of many more to come.

“There are a lot of new players and I think that is something that we need to keep in mind,” Conley said. “This team is going to be a lot of fun to watch grow. It is important to keep in mind that a lot of these kids are new to high school soccer or have very limited experience. It was great watching them come ready to play and perform so well.”