Wildcats suffer first setback of season at Gardner-Edgerton

Louisburg senior defender Jackson Olson tries to poke the ball away from a Gardner-Edgerton player Thursday at Gardner-Edgerton High School. The Wildcats lost their first game of the season, 3-0.

GARDNER — In just its second match of the season, the Louisburg boys soccer team squared off with one of the tougher teams the Wildcats will see all season.

Louisburg traveled to Gardner-Edgerton and squared off against the Class 6A school, and unfortunately for the Wildcats, left with their first loss.

The Wildcats gave up two first half goals, and had limited chances of their own against the Trailblazers, in their 3-0 loss Thursday at Gardner-Edgerton High School.

‘It was a tough and humbling loss, but Gardner is an improved team from last year,” Louisburg coach Bobby Bovaird said. “They controlled the ball and were much faster on their attacks than we were. It’s good to have this kind of game early in the season. It highlights a lot of things we need to work on.”

The game didn’t stay scoreless for long as Gardner scored in the first four minutes of the match as the Blazers took a shot just outside the 18 for the goal.

Gardner doubled that lead later on in the half when the Blazers scored on a penalty kick and took a 2-0 halftime advantage.

Louisburg goalie Brecon Klugman was busy throughout the contest as he made several saves that kept the Wildcats in it, before the Blazers iced the match with their third goal with 24 minutes remaining.

“That game could have easily been 5-0 or 6-0 with some of their attacks, but Brecon had some great plays in goal for us,” Bovaird said. “Watching film of last night’s game, we’re going to have to learn to adapt when our opponent has their outside mids shifting and crossing into the middle of the field. We also need to work on our first touch on the ball, especially on turf, and improve our possession game.”

The Wildcats (1-1) did have a few opportunities on goal as Gavin York, Cade Gassman and Colin McManigal each had looks at the net, but couldn’t convert.

Louisburg will try and get back on track this Thursday when it squares off with Bonner Springs in the Wildcats home opener. Bovaird believes his team will learn from this loss.

“We’re up to the challenge of taking on 6A and 5A teams,” Bovaird said. “In the long run, having our strength of schedule will set us up for the postseason.”