Wildcats suffer back-to-back losses to Pittsburg, Independence

Louisburg midfielder Colton Blue pushes the ball up the field Wednesday during the Wildcats’ home match against Pittsburg.

For 78 of the 80 minutes, Louisburg did exactly what it wanted to do against Independence.

It was the other two minutes that haunted the Wildcats afterward.

Pittsburg scored in the opening minute, and then again in the final minute, to hand Louisburg a 2-0 setback Wednesday in Louisburg.

The Wildcats controlled 60 percent of the possession and outshot the Dragons, but it wasn’t enough as the Wildcats suffered their second straight loss.

“We played 78 minutes of solid soccer, but it was the opening minute and the closing minute when they got some great chances to capitalize on our mistakes,” Louisburg coach Bobby Bovaird said. “I feel frustrated, not because of how we played, but I feel frustrated for the guys. That was definitely a game we could have won.”

Despite getting down 1-0 early on in the match, that didn’t faze the Wildcats as they would go on outshoot the Dragons 24-9 the rest of the way.

Louisburg (1-2) nearly tied it up later in the first half when junior Emmett White hit a shot off the crossbar and went straight down, just missing the line.

The Wildcats survived a scare of their own in the second half when Pittsburg was awarded a penalty kick, but could convert as it was knocked away by goalie Evan Moreland to keep the game within striking distance.

Junior Colton Blue led the Wildcats with nine shots on the night, including three shots on target. White finished with seven, while sophomore Owen Marsh had three.

Then with under a minute remaining, Pittsburg iced the match with its final goal to put it out of reach for Louisburg.

“On the stat sheet, there were so many great things for us,” Bovaird said. “We out-shot them 24-10, but we just couldn’t get many on target. Defensively, the guys are coming together and figuring things out. Offensively, we’re gradually making our attacks more and more dangerous.”

Louisburg will try and stop its two-game losing streak tonight as the Wildcats host Bonner Springs in a Frontier League matchup.

Louisburg loses on the road to Independence

INDEPENDENCE — After coming off a thrilling season-opening win against Leavenworth, Louisburg was hoping to make it two in a row last Thursday.

The Wildcats went on the road to square off with Independence, but couldn’t get that back-to-back victory as they fell 2–1 to the Bulldogs in what was a tightly-played contest.

Louisburg had some opportunities and had its fair share of possession, but couldn’t find the back of the net until late in the contest.

“This season is going to be all about learning as we go,” Louisburg coach Bobby Bovaird said. “Most of the team is earning their stripes for the first time on varsity. Against Independence, we had over 50 percent possession throughout the game, but we just couldn’t break through with our offense. They played a flat line in defense, and from the sideline they looked very vulnerable. We went down a goal early in the first half, despite controlling much of the game. 

“The start of the second half, we were much smoother and more confident. It got to be a very physical game, so we learned a few things about that style of soccer. The guys played well, but like I said, we’ve got a lot of growth and learning as we go through the season.”

Independence scored a goal in each half to go up 2-0, before the Wildcats were awarded a penalty kick with three minutes left in the match. Junior Emmett White converted the PK, but the Wildcats could get no closer.

Junior Colton Blue led the Wildcats with four shots on the night and White had two. Sophomore Owen Marsh finished with one.