Win, lose or draw: Wildcats experience all emotions in 3-game week

Louisburg senior Braden Yows tries to break free from a Gardner-Edgerton defender to get the ball Saturday at Wildcat Stadium. The Wildcats fell in overtime, 2-1.

It was a win, lose or draw type of week for the Louisburg boys soccer team.

The Wildcats played their third game in five days Saturday when they hosted Gardner-Edgerton, and despite having a lead at halftime, lost a dramatic 2-1 match in overtime.

Two days before that, Louisburg got a 4-2 win at Bonner Springs and on Tuesday, tied Basehor-Linwood 2-2 in a road contest at Basehor.

It was a week full of mixed emotions against three bigger programs as Gardner-Edgerton is a Class 6A school, while Bonner Springs and Basehor-Linwood are 5A.

“When you play three games in five days it is tough and when we were missing players for most of those games it makes it difficult, but that is not an excuse,” Louisburg coach Kyle Conley said. “We just didn’t execute the way we needed to and ultimately that cost us. I felt the boys played with a massive amount of energy and heart. We did not back down to them nor were we intimidated by them or their physical play. The boys held their own and played well for the most part.”

The week ended in frustration as Gardner-Edgerton scored on a header three minutes into overtime Saturday at Wildcat Stadium to steal a win from Louisburg.

Louisburg got the scoring started early as the Wildcats scored in the first 10 minutes as Ethan Ptacek found the back of the net on an assist from Braden Yows.

The Wildcats (3-1-1) saw their lead slip away seven minutes into the second half as the Blazers tied it up and the match eventually went into overtime.

“We were prepared and ready to go,” Conley said. “We started off really well and executed the game plan extremely well in the first half, but then struggled a little in the second half with our passing. Between our poor execution and the wind, it made it difficult to get out. I felt we played them fairly even. They may have had more possession when it was all said and done, but I felt we had more dangerous opportunities. We were focused and determined, but were unable to capitalize.”

The Wildcat defense of Toby Espina-Roca, Matthew Sword, Michael Seuferling, Aidan Cannon and goalie Mack Newell also made things difficult on the Blazers

Louisburg didn’t have many problems finding the back of the net against Bonner Springs on Thursday. Yows finished with a pair of goals and an assist, while Cade Gassman and Colin McManigal also added scores.

The Wildcats dominated possession and outshot the Braves 33-7 to get their third win of the season.

“I felt the boys did a great job of possessing and moving the ball,” Conley said. “We created a lot of chances, but to be honest we struggled to finish. We were able to put a lot of pressure on them, but really struggled to finish the ball. I think it was nice to get the win and the boys definitely earned it. 

“It was also nice to get a lot of different guys in the game and try to rest some legs. Our defense was strong and did not give up many chances. Hats off to Bonner as their two goals were absolutely bombs.”

On the road against Basehor-Linwood last Tuesday, the Wildcats also got out to a good start.

Yows opened the scoring to give the Wildcats an early lead, but Basehor tied it up with 11 minutes left in the first half.

The Wildcats took the lead back right before halftime as Yows assisted on the goal this time. He threw the ball in near the goal and junior Gavin York got a head on it to put Louisburg up 2-1 at the break.

Late in the second half, Basehor-Linwood was awarded a controversial penalty kick, which allowed the Bobcats to tie the match. Neither team was able to score in the two overtimes and it ended in a draw.

“The game was incredibly physical,” Conley said. “The frustrating part was the lack of consistency and the boys struggled to find the flow of the game in that regard. I felt we created a lot of chances, and quite honest, either team could have won that game. The boys created a massive amount of chances, but just could not find the back of the net. We were missing several starters, but it was next man up. The boys stepped up and didn’t back down.”

Louisburg will compete in its fourth match in seven days today when it travels to Lansing. Varsity will begin at approximately 6 p.m.

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