Wildcats blank Tonganoxie for Senior Night victory

With their Louisburg soccer career coming to close, eight players made sure their Senior Night was one to remember — and so did the rest of their teammates.

The Wildcats hosted Tonganoxie in a Frontier League match Thursday and sent their eight seniors out in style. Louisburg got out to a quick start and never looked back in a 6-0 shutout of the Chieftains.

It marked the second straight win for the Wildcats and left a lot to celebrate following the match at Wildcat Soccer Stadium.

“I felt it was an outstanding game for the team, and it was especially sweet since it was senior night,” Louisburg coach Bobby Bovaird said. “They were focused and determined against a team that hasn’t had the best season. Tonganoxie’s record might not be great, but they play a tough schedule and have had some close losses to good teams. 

“On Thursday, everyone stepped up and did their jobs on the field. It was a big crowd with lots of energy, and it being senior night made it especially emotional. “It was a very memorable game for all the right reasons.”

Prior to the match, the Wildcats honored their eight seniors players — Colton Blue, Jacob Brown, Cole Clover, Mika McKitrick, Dan Minster, Ethan Sharp, Will Showalter and Emmett White — along with senior manager Ashlyn Kuhlman and their parents.

It has been a memorable group for Bovaird as many of them have been a part of the program when he took over as head coach three years ago.

“I can’t speak highly enough about this senior class,” Bovaird said. “When they were freshmen, they played for me on JV, and then they were sophomores when I first took the role as head coach. Last year, they were thrust into leadership positions and they really matured through that tough season. This year, starting in June when we first began summer practices, they’ve been setting the bar high for leadership. 

“They’ve created a culture of belief, commitment, and hard work. When they break down with the word ‘family,’ they mean it, and the younger players have some outstanding role models in them.”

On Senior Night, it was actually a junior who helped the Wildcats get off to a good start. Owen Marsh scored two goals in the game’s opening minutes and finished with a hat trick after scoring another goal in the second half.

Blue also had a big night with three assists, all coming on Marsh’s goals. It was the kind of start the Wildcats were looking for to help put Tonganoxie away early.

“Getting off to a quick start and scoring early was key for us,” Bovaird said. “When we score first — and score early — it gives us confidence and it puts pressure on the opponent. We were able to play our game, while they had to readjust things without even getting the chance to play their game.

“Owen has been playing with more and more discipline and determination with every game, and that’s been so exciting to see. He’s been a key offensive player all this year and last year, and he’s gritted things out through any frustration. Now, he’s seeing the fruits of his hard work pay off. He and Colton connected three times for him to get that hat trick. That’s just evidence of how the whole team is playing unselfishly, and that’s what it’s going to take for us to reach our goals.”

Ryan Barberich scored his first varsity goal midway through the first half to put the Wildcats up three, and less than a minute later, junior Caleb Feldkamp scored his first varsity goal as well to give Louisburg a 4-0 halftime lead.

In the second half, Brown got in the scoring column when he converted a penalty kick and Marsh iced the match with a header in the box that found that back of the net.

Sophomore Brody Bovaird was active offensively as he recorded two assists. Blue and Ryder Erickson also had shots on target for the Wildcats.

Defensively, the Wildcats held Tonganoxie to just eight shots, and goalie Evan Moreland earned the clean sheet with three saves.

Louisburg, which is now 7-5 on the season, will look to end their season strong today as it travels to Paola for a Frontier League match.

Wildcats get win with shutout of Parsons

In a rare Monday match, Louisburg traveled to Parsons on Oct. 7 in hopes of getting back in the win column after a tough loss to Ottawa the week before.

The Wildcats got the win in convincing fashion as they controlled the match and left with a 7-0 result.

Emmett White and Ryder Erickson led the way with two goals each, while Colton Blue, Grant Cannon and Owen Mash also scored for Louisburg.

Blue, Caleb Feldkamp, Renner Erickson and Will Showalter each added an assist in the win.