Lexi Hampton gives senior Tehya Harvey a big hug following her first goal of the season, while fellow senior Adyson Ross comes in to celebrate Thursday during the Wildcats’ shutout of Bonner Springs on Senior Night. Harvey played in her first game of the season after suffering an ACL tear.

Senior night usually brings out a plethora of emotions and Thursday for the Louisburg girls soccer team was no different.

In fact, it might have had a few more tugs at the heart strings.

As happy as the Wildcats were to end their regular season home schedule with a 5-0 victory over Bonner Springs, it was how they did it, and who they honored, that made it even more special.

Despite have to dodge rain drops for much of the night, the Wildcats honored their senior class of Brylee Diederich, Bree Gassman, Tehya Harvey, Brianne Kuhlman and Adyson Ross and did so in convincing fashion.

The victory pushed the Wildcats’ record to 10-4 on the season as they look to continue to improve with the postseason looming.

“I told the (senior) girls the other night that I don’t have any regrets about the season, but my only regret is that I have only been around them a year,” Louisburg coach Ben York said. “They are a great group of girls. They like to joke and laugh a lot, but when it comes down to it, they are ready to go compete when its time. 

“There was already such a good foundation here when I started and the seniors are a part of that. They are just a fun group to be around and they have made a big impact on the program. Now we just want to send them out in the best way possible.”

Soccer didn’t even seem in the cards this season for one of the Wildcat seniors. Harvey tore her ACL in the fall and she thought her season was over.

It was a devastating blow, but it didn’t let it stop her from trying to make it back. That journey ended with one of the most memorable moments of the season to date.

Not only was Harvey able to play limited minutes, but she made a big impact on the game. 

Junior Lexi Hampton had a breakaway opportunity late in the first half, but saw Harvey on the opposite side of the field. Hampton made the perfect pass that found Harvey’s foot as she put it in the back of the net to score her first goal of the season.

“Not sure I would have seen that coming six months ago when we found out about her injury,” York said. “I don’t know you could write a movie script better than what actually happened. When we found out she was having ACL surgery, she was emotional. I told her whatever happens, we would get her whatever time we could on Senior Night. 

“It might be a pivotal moment for Tehya. It was neat to see the connection her and Lexi had. It was a very unselfish moment there from Lexi as she could have scored the goal herself, but it was a neat deal to be a part of. I was proud to be on the sidelines just to watch it all. Everyone has always been supportive of her and I think we all enjoyed the moment.”

Harvey’s goal put up the Wildcats up 2-0, as just moments before, Diederich opened the scoring to get a goal on Senior Night. 

Early in the second half, the Wildcats increased the lead to 3-0 when Hampton scored off an assist from Ross. It was Ross who followed that up with a goal of her own to make it a 4-0 contest.

Hampton completed the scoring with her second goal of the night as the Wildcat dominated possession from start to finish.

This was the second meeting between the two teams as the Wildcats defeated Bonner Springs 10-0 earlier in the season.

“I don’t expect a lot out of senior night as there is so many distractions, but we got the win and that is the most important,” York said. “I wasn’t frustrated that we weren’t scoring as much, even though we had multiple opportunities. The girls just stayed the course and didn’t get frustrated, which was good to see. Bonner was not the same team we played earlier in the year and they have improved as well.”

It was a nice win for the Wildcats as they were coming off a difficult 2-0 loss to Basehor-Linwood last Tuesday.

“We got off to a slow start and felt like a couple players weren’t firing 100 percent and it was one of those midseason games where you can’t explain why things happen the way they do,” York said. “I think if we were to see them again it would be different, but they have some fast girls. It was their senior night too and I think they were pretty inspired. It was a weird night for us, and we had plenty of opportunities especially late, but we just didn’t play well.

The Wildcats will end the regular season this week as they travel to Ottawa today and Lansing on Thursday. 

“The last two-and-a half weeks we have made a ton of progress,” York said. “This coming week is going to be a good measuring stick with where we are at. We are all healthy and are in a good spot. We have had some good practices, and if we can get out and play quick, then we can do good things. We have things we have been working on all season that are coming around too. Hopefully by the end of the year we can see it all come together.”

Here is the Louisburg Sports Zone Athlete of the Week for week six of the spring sports season, sponsored by Dr. Laura’s Orthodontics.

LEXI HAMPTON, JUNIOR, GIRLS SOCCER

Louisburg junior Lexi Hampton has had no problems finding the back of the net for the Wildcat girls soccer team so far this spring and that included last week. In a pair of wins over Ottawa and Eudora, Hampton finished with three goals, and also added two assists.

On the season, Hampton has been one of the team’s top scorers. She has two hat tricks on the year to go along with 15 goals through 13 matches.

The athlete of the week award is announced every Wednesday morning during the spring season and the winner is selected by Louisburg Sports Zone with the help of nominations from coaches.

Previous winners:

Week 1: Rowan Yows

Week 2: Sabra Brueggen

Week 3: Danny Napier

Week 4: Corbin Hamman

Week 5: Megan Quinn

Louisburg junior Lexi Hampton leaps over the Ottawa goalie during the team’s match last Tuesday at Wildcat Stadium. The Wildcats earned wins over Eudora and Ottawa last week.

EUDORA — Goals have been easy to come by the last four matches for the Louisburg girls soccer team and that continued Thursday at Eudora.

The Wildcats scored four first half goals on their way to a 5-1 victory over the Cardinals at Eudora High School. It was the fourth consecutive victory for Louisburg and the Wildcats have looked good during that stretch.

In those four wins, the Wildcats have scored 27 goals and Louisburg coach Ben York has seen a lot of progress from his team in recent weeks.

“We are trying to move the ball better and get more people involved,” York said. “In doing so, if we can do that effectively against better teams, we will be able to hang with most teams. It was fun to see us knock the ball around, especially in the first half, against a team in Eudora that worked hard and put pressure on us. I was very pleased. We came out with high pressure, had good passes and had them on their heels.”

Louisburg (9-3) got in the scoring column early when sophomore Rowan Yows found the back of the net on an assist from junior Lexi Hampton. A few minutes later, the Wildcats doubled the score when junior defender Ellery Allen hit a shot at the top of the 18 after an assist from junior Lola Edwards.

Hampton added a goal of her own to make it 3-0 and sophomore Riley May scored her first varsity goal of the season to make it a 4-0 advantage for Louisburg at halftime.

Senior Adyson Ross added another goal on a breakaway in the second half to all but seal the win for the Wildcats. Eudora scored to end the shutout, but could get no closer.

The Wildcats outshot the Cardinals 17-7 on the night and had 12 corner kicks to go along with eight free kicks.

“I really thought we played well,” York said. “We had a lot of possession and took a lot of shots. Eudora is a quality team and they really fight hard. After the game, their coach mentioned to me about how well he thought our girls played and how talented they are, so that is always nice to hear from someone outside of the program.

“The second half we got a little too comfortable and didn’t put as much pressure on them as we needed to. We made a poor decision on a clearance, which led to their goal, but that was a mistake we will make 1-in-100 times. Other than that, we did a lot of good things.”

Defensively the Wildcats have seen improvement throughout the year as they have given up just two goals during this four-game winning streak.

Louisburg’s defense had to mark up one of the Frontier League’s top forwards, Jayla Erpelding, and York believes they did a good job and he has seen improvement in that group throughout the year.

The starting back line of Jaden Bentz, Allen, Hailey Sword and Brianne Kuhlman have started to bond together to give that protection to goalie Macy Lemke.

“We are a little inconsistent still at times,” York said. “When we playing against a top striker, we struggle staying marked up. Against Eudora, at least for the first half, it was what I liked to see. We were disciplined marking up. Jayla likes to roam around, but the girls did a good job communicating and making sure someone had her.

“Jaden has really come along in the last three games and did a good job when she marked Jayla. She has been one of our better defenders, so she has earned the position, which is nice to see.”

Louisburg will try and make it five in a row tonight as the Wildcats travel to Basehor-Linwood. The match is set to begin at 6 p.m.

Wildcats shutout Ottawa in home match

The win over Eudora last Thursday was the end to what was a positive week for Louisburg.

It started last Tuesday at home against Ottawas the Wildcats shutout the Cyclones in impressive fashion, 7-0.

Louisburg scored four goals in the first half and Rowan Yows got it started as she found the back of the net on an assist from Bree Gassman 13 minutes into the match.

Just two minutes later, Gassman got in the scoring column as she snuck it past the Ottawa goalie on a corner from Adyson Ross. Ellery Allen then made it 3-0 when she scored off a defected shot.

Lexi Hampton capped the first half scoring when put the Wildcats up, 4-0, on a breakaway opportunity.

Lola Edwards and Ross got in on the scoring in the second half and Hampton picked up her second goal of the match. Edwards and Hampton also had assists in the final 40 minutes.

Junior goalie Macy Lemke earned the clean sheet.

Louisburg senior Adyson Ross dribbles the ball up the field Tuesday during the Wildcats’ home match against Chanute.

After going through a little bit of a losing skid, the Louisburg girls soccer team has now put together back-to-back wins to help right the ship.

In its second game in as many days Tuesday, the Wildcats scored nine first half goals and came away with a 10-0 victory over Chanute to improve its record to 7-3 on the season.

Seven different players scored for Louisburg and the Wildcats got a hat trick from sophomore Rowan Yows. 

“We knocked the ball around pretty good,” Louisburg coach Ben York said. “We came off a game (Monday) where we worked really hard and having games back-to-back nights is never easy. We got a little dribble-happy at times, but it was a good outcome.

“Chanute is in the first year of their girls soccer program, and I know in two or three years they will be winning a lot of games. There aren’t a lot of girls soccer programs down in their area, so I was glad we could get them on the schedule and give them an opportunity to play someone relatively close.”

Yows got the scoring started in the first five minutes as the Wildcats took an early lead. Less than a minute later, Yows scored again, this time on an assist from Lexi Hampton.

Hampton recorded her second assist moments later when she found junior Ellery Allen, who took the left-footed shot and scored. Hampton was on the other side of the scoring a minute later, when she found the back of the net on an assist from Riley May. 

Senior Brylee Diederich got in on the scoring with 18 minutes left in the first half on an assist from fellow senior Adyson Ross. Ross then found sophomore Baileigh Johnson with a pass up the filed, who scored her first goal of the contest.

Lola Edwards, Hampton and Yows followed it up with three straight goals to end the first half and the Wildcats held a 9-0 advantage.

Goalie Macy Lemke got the chance to try the offensive side of the game for a change to start the second half, and her teammates made sure got the opportunity to get in the scoring column. 

Two minutes into the match, Lemke dribbed the ball down the field and took a shot that hit off the crossbar and Lemke was able to follow it up for her first varsity goal.

“She darn near knocked the goal over with her first shot,” York joked. “We tried to get her in a couple times before this, but it was really neat to see her get that goal. I know the girls were really excited for her.”

The Wildcats will try and make it three straight wins Tuesday when they host Ottawa for a Frontier League match. Varsity is slated to begin at 6 p.m. at Wildcat Stadium.

Louisburg boys basketball coach Ty Pfannenstiel will take over the school’s activities director role next school year. He also resigned his basketball position after coaching the Wildcats for the last six years.

Beginning next school year, Louisburg High School activities will have a little different look to it — especially at the top.

Ty Pfannenstiel will serve as the school’s new activities director and will take over for current AD, Michael Pickman, who will focus on his assistant principal duties and curriculum. 

Pfannenstiel, who has been the boys basketball coach for the last six years, resigned his post to take on the activities director position. He also stepped down as an assistant football coach.

Currently the weight room instructor, Pfannenstiel will spend half his day teaching and the other half in the AD role.

All of the moves were approved during Monday’s meeting of the USD 416 Board of Education.

“This is very exciting for me,” Pfannenstiel said. “It’s definitely going to be a change. I have been a teacher and a coach for 18 years. I still get to be a teacher half-time, and now I get to step into a new role as an administrator. It is going to be all sports and activities and I am looking forward to the new direction.”

As for Pickman, he gets the opportunity to focus more on the academic side as a full-time assistant principal. He was hired as an assistant principal/ activities director in April of 2020.

“I am very excited to commit more fully to the assistant principal role as education and curriculum have always been my true passion,” Pickman said. “Being able to support the teachers, students, and administrative staff by providing data, feedback, and assessing teaching and learning goals and initiatives in the building and district aligns with that passion and the opportunity arose to allow for that. I hope to enable and promote continued growth in the various curriculums and initiatives and structures that make Louisburg a fantastic district in a supportive community.

“Ty has experience and is passionate about athletics and activities. As it is where his passion is, I have every confidence he will do a fantastic job in his new role and look forward to witnessing where he takes our programs moving forward.”

Pickman took over LHS activities at a difficult time as the school was coming back from COVID-19 and the all challenges it presented. As tough as that situation was, he appreciated the relationships he built.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my role as activities director and was presented a fantastic growth opportunity and am grateful for being given it,” Pickman said. “I had a goal of being present for athletes and coaches and for the patrons, so I hope people saw that presence. I was blessed to have great leadership in place in our coaches and sponsors, and tried to support them best by advocating for their needs and supporting them to do their job of being great role models and passing on their passion and knowledge to students.

“Ultimately, I am most proud of our student athletes and activity participants and being part of their journey. I believe that sports are an extension of the classroom and I wanted to help ensure that character and sportsmanship were just as important and success, and I am overjoyed to have a wealth of memories where our fans, students, participants, and coaches and sponsors proved that to be true of LHS.”

While taking on the challenge of being a new administrator is one he is looking forward to, leaving his coaching roots behind was a difficult decision for Pfannenstiel.

In 2021, Pfannenstiel led the Wildcat boys basketball team to the Class 4A state championship game and finished as the state runner-up.

“That was definitely the biggest thing that was holding me back,” Pfannenstiel said. “I love basketball and the kids that I have worked with. There is a group coming up that I really enjoy coaching, and leaving that behind was one of the biggest challenges for me. Whoever takes over the program, I think it will be good transition for them because they will have a great group of kids to work with.

“Originally, I was going to be allowed to coach a sport and they didn’t want to take coaching away from me. The more I thought about it, if I want to do a good job at this, I need to focus on being the AD and that will be something that will benefit me and all the other activities.”

Pfannenstiel believes the move is a good one for the school in general as it will allow Pickman and principal Amy VanRheen to focus more on the academic side of things.

“This is something that is definitely needed,” Pfannenstiel said. “Our administrators are so busy with all the stuff they do during the school day, but they are also going to all the activities as well. Hopefully this will be a big help for Mrs. VanRheen and Mr. Pickman.”

Although he won’t official start his new position till next school year, Pfannenstiel is already starting to transition into his new role — one that is looking forward to.

“My job in the weight room and coaching has all been about sports,” he said. “That is what entices me about this job is that I am still going to be all about sports and activities. I just want to be a support for our coaches and our athletes and be advocate for our students.” 

Louisburg senior Bree Gassman dribbles down the side during a game earlier this season. The Wildcats earned a 5-1 victory over Augusta on Monday in Emporia.

EMPORIA — Louisburg needed something good to go its way after suffering setbacks in two of its last three matches.

“We had a little bit of a tough stretch there with losses against Spring Hill and Baldwin,” Louisburg coach Ben York said. “I think the girls were a little disappointed or frustrated, so we need something good to happen to change that mentality.”

The Wildcats got what they needed Monday.

Louisburg traveled to Emporia as it faced off with Augusta in a neutral site contest. From the opening whistle, the Lady Cats took control of the game and left with a 5-1 victory over the Orioles.

“I thought the girls played alright,” York said. “Augusta had a couple pretty talented players, but for the most part, the girls were focused and did some good things.

“Whenever we’ve have losses like we have, I want to take a few games to work on specific things that went wrong and that we need to correct. We definitely saw improvements in some areas, but overall it was good to see the girls leave with a win.”

Augusta suffered some bad luck early as its goalie had to leave with an injury in the opening minute and the Orioles were forced to shuffle their lineup. That led to an own goal that gave Louisburg a 1-0 lead early.

Senior Adyson Ross scored her first goal to give the Wildcats a 2-0 early in the match. Junior Ellery Allen then scored off a free kick a few minutes later.

Freshman Mena Fercho added a goal of her own late in the first half and the Wildcats took a 4-0 lead at halftime. Junior Lexi Hampton competed the Wildcats scoring a with a goal midway through the first half.

The Wildcats will try and make it back-to-back wins tonight as they host Chanute at Wildcat Stadium. Varsity is slated to begin at approximately 6 p.m.

Louisburg comes up short at home to Baldwin

Whether it was unfortunate calls, a little bit of bad luck or everything in-between, Louisburg went through it all last Thursday when the Wildcats hosted Baldwin.

Baldwin scored two early goals and the Wildcats weren’t able to come from behind in a 3-1 setback to the Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs scored their first goal on a penalty kick. From there, the Wildcats had to play catch-up and couldn’t complete the comeback despite having several chances on goal.

“I think we came out a little slow, but I thought we settled in and played well,” York said. “They scored on a penalty kick early on a questionable call and the same thing on their second goal where it looked like they had a player offsides. We were a little unlucky in that area, but that is no excuse because we had plenty of chances on our own to get back in the game.”

Louisburg registered 30 shots in the contest, including 16 in the second half, but couldn’t find the back of the net. The Wildcats were able to cut into the Baldwin lead on a goal by Bree Gassman in the first half, but could get no closer.

“We had a lot of pressure in that game, we just couldn’t get anything to go,” York said. “I think our fitness is really good right now and I think that allowed us to control the second half. We had so many opportunities, which is a good thing and something we can build on if we were to see them again.”

Louisburg junior Lola Edwards led the Wildcats with two assists, and also had a goal, in their 10-0 victory over Tonganoxie on Tuesday at Wildcat Stadium.

After a tough road loss to Spring Hill last week, the Louisburg girls soccer team regrouped and put its best foot forward Tuesday in its home match against Tonganoxie.

The Wildcats scored nine first half goals and ended the game early with a 10-0 victory over the Chieftains. 

It was a balanced effort offensively for the Wildcats (5-2) as seven different players found the back of the net as they dominated from start to finish.

“We put that Spring Hill loss behind us right when it ended,” Louisburg coach Ben York said. “I wanted to use this game to work on some things we have been doing in practice. I would have liked to have seen a little more, but a lopsided game like this prevented some of that.

“Still, when we were out there I think the girls need some nice things and took care of business. We were able to get the ball out to the wings and get some crosses in. We were able to do that a lot and it was good to see. We just wanted to pressure a lot see what happens. We knocked the ball around and made a lot of stuff happen.”

Junior Lexi Hampton recorded her second hat trick of the season to lead the Wildcats in scoring with four goals, while six others also found their way into the scoring column.

Senior Bree Gassman got the scoring started four minutes into the contest, and after a deflection off Tonganoxie, shot it past the keeper. Next, junior defender Ellery Allen scored off another rebound to make it 2-0.

Moments later, Hampton scored to make it a three score match, and then senior Brylee Diederich scored off a cross from Adyson Ross and it was 4-0, Louisburg.

Hampton added two more scores and freshman Baileigh Johnson also found the back of the net. Junior Lola Edwards then scored off a corner kick and Ross made it 9-0 with a goal right before halftime.

Minutes into the second half, Hampton ended the game with her fourth goal of the night.

Edwards led Louisburg with two assists, while Rowan Yows, Gassman and Ross also assisted in the Wildcat scoring.

The Wildcats will face a tough test today as they host Baldwin in a Frontier League matchup. Both are two of the top programs in Class 4A and both are 5-2 on the season.

“Baldwin is a very good team and a team that beat us last season,” York said. “It is going to be a big game for the girls and hopefully we can get on the right side of this matchup and start beating teams we lost to last year. We are going to get some good practice in and I am excited to see what we can do.”

Wildcats fall to Spring Hill on road

For the first 40 minutes, it was looking good for Louisburg.

The Wildcats held a one-goal lead over Spring Hill last Thursday at Spring Hill High School and were primed to get a big win on the road.

Unfortunately, the Broncos had other ideas. Spring Hill scored six times in the second half and handed Louisburg a 7-2 loss.

“We did a lot of good things in that game through much of the first half,” Louisburg coach Ben York said. “There were a lot of good things we can use and build on from that first half, but things just got away from us there in the second half. It will be a good learning tool for us, for sure.”

Spring Hill took a 1-0 lead early in the contest, but the Wildcats tied it up midway through the first half on a goal from Bree Gassman.

With five minutes remaining till halftime, senior Adyson Ross found the back of the net off a rebound opportunity.

Louisburg sophomore Rowan Yows battles for a 50-50 ball last week against Bonner Springs in the semifinals of the Golden Bear Tournament at Turner High School.

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Penalty kicks is somewhat of a rarity when it comes to high school soccer.

Louisburg found itself in some rarified air Friday in the championship game of the Golden Bear Tournament as the Wildcats had to go to penalty kicks for the second time in five days.

The Wildcats squared off with Piper for the tournament title and found itself all tied up after regulation. Unfortunately for Louisburg, this version of penalty kicks weren’t as successful.

Louisburg lost out to Piper in the penalty kicks, 4-3, and lost the match, 2-1, as the Wildcats suffered their first loss of the season. The Wildcats won the opening round of the tournament against Shawnee Mission North on PKs.

“In the history of this program, we may have had two matches go to penalty kicks before this tournament, so to have two in five days is pretty rare,” Louisburg coach Ben York said. “We were the most fit team in the end of that game. I think if we had five more minutes, I think we would have scored and won it in regulation.

“Everything but the win was taken as a positive from this game. Piper was a team that allowed us to get better this early in the season. It seemed like a postseason tournament environment and it was pretty intense. It really felt like our season was riding on this game. Even though we lost, it was good for the girls to experience the type of atmosphere.”

Louisburg’s defense had a chore as the Wildcats tried to slow down Piper’s Sierra Montez and Montez got the better of play early as she gave Piper a 1-0 advantage early on.

Later in the first half, the Wildcats found the equalizer, albeit in an unconventional way. The Pirates were called for handball in the box, which gave the Wildcats a penalty kick opportunity. 

Junior Lola Edwards got the the chance and put the ball away and the match was tied at halftime.

Montez and the Pirates still had several opportunities to score, but the Wildcat back line did their best to thwart those opportunities.

“(Montez) was just that disruptive,” York said. “She is a talented player who really liked to just go 1-on-1. We did a good job of limiting the damage, but doing that, it hindered us from being as connected as we want to be on the offensive end. 

“I thought Rowan (Yows) did a good job of marking her in the first half and then Faith (Sewell) did a good job in the second. Then I think Piper got a little tired and we were able to get some chances on our end.”

The Wildcats (4-1) took control of the possession in the second half and had a few opportunities to take the lead, but couldn’t take advantage.

“We definitely had all the momentum there, and if we had a little extra time, who knows what could have happened,” York said.

Louisburg will try and bounce back Thursday when it travels to Spring Hill for a Frontier League matchup. The match is set to begin at 6 p.m.

“Two out of the 3 teams were quality teams that we played in this tournament and that was helpful for us,” York said. “With two more days of good practice, we will be prepared to play our best soccer. Hopefully that will be good enough against Spring Hill, but it will be a tough test for sure. We are going to bring good energy. We are in good fitness right now and hopefully we will have a good squad ready to go.”

Wildcats blank Bonner Springs in semis

In between two stressful outings of the Golden Bear Tournament, Louisburg had a little bit of fun last Wednesday in the semifinals.

The Wildcats scored seven first half goals en route to a 10-0 rout of Bonner Springs that put them in the championship round against Piper.

Junior Lexi Hampton was responsible for half of the scoring as she recorded a hat trick and had five goals in total. Senior Adyson Ross followed suit with a hat trick of her own.

Sophomore Baileigh Johnson and senior Brylee Diederich also found the back of the net for the first time this season.

Junior goalie Macy Lemke earned the clean sheet for Louisburg.

Louisburg goalie Macy Lemke goes in for a save Monday against Shawnee Mission North during the Golden Bear Tournament at Turner High School.

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Louisburg’s first round game of the Golden Bear Tournament against Shawnee Mission North went from sunny and rosy, to bleak in a matter of minutes.

The Wildcats held a one goal lead, but gave up the tying score with just two minutes left in regulation. The match then went to penalty kicks and Louisburg found itself down 3-1 in a best of five attempts.

“Coming back from a 3-1 deficit in PK’s, the odds on that are relatively small,” Louisburg coach Ben York said.

Louisburg beat the odds as the Wildcats netted their final three penalty kicks and goalie Macy Lemke stopped the final three Bison attempts to leave with a 2-1 victory at Turner High School.

“For the majority of the game we did a really good job,” York said. “The first half we were really on the front foot and had plenty of opportunities in the first 10 minutes. We strayed away from what got us success. With all that, and going against a big school with some talented players, it was good to see the girls come away with a win.

“We faced a little adversity and it was good for the girls to go through that. Although we didn’t win how we wanted to, I think that will helps us later in the season.”

Lemke gave the Wildcats a lift when they needed most. Down 3-1 in penalty kicks, she got a pair of saves that kept her team in it. 

Rowan Yows and Ellery Allen had makes to tie it at 3-all after the first five attempts. Each team brought an extra player out and junior Hailey Sword found the back of the net for Louisburg, while Lemke made a diving stop on a Bison attempt, that hit the post, and preserved the win.

Lemke was busy throughout the match, especially in the second half when she recorded six saves as the Bison dominated possession in the final 20 minutes.

“What is difficult is in the whole time I’ve been coaching, penalty kicks is not something I have encountered but three times,” York said. “We have gone over that a little in practice, but not much. What is difficult for the goalkeeper is you have to guess and have to be confident. I think Macy was waiting to react instead of letting her goalie instincts kick on the first couple shots. When she made that first save, that gave her a lot of confidence in the last three. She made some great saves earlier in the game too.”

From the opening whistle, Louisburg appeared in control of the game and the Wildcats took the lead in the first 10 minutes when a Yows shot from 25 yards out hit the back of the net.

The Wildcats (3-0) took a 1-0 lead at halftime and controlled possession in the first half. It could have been a bigger lead as they took nine shots on goal.

Shawnee Mission North put the pressure on in the second half and had the Wildcat defense on its heels for much of the final 20 minutes. The Bison, which had seven shots on goal, got one to go with two minutes left in regulation when a cross hit off a Wildcat defender and in the back of the net.

All that set up the dramatics in penalty kicks and the Wildcats were able to advance to the tournament semifinals.

“If we managed to hold our composure, we probably don’t have to go through that mess,” York said. “We were pressing toward the end of the game and were chasing a bit. We were a little tired, but that is a correctable thing and that will get better as the season goes along. We need to stay offensive and aggressive and not just sit in. It is something we can get better at.”

The Wildcats will square off against Bonner Springs at 6 p.m. tonight in the semifinals at Turner High School.

Wildcats get road win at Leavenworth

Louisburg saw its lead slip away in the first half of Thursday’s game at Leavenworth, but that didn’t seem to bother the Wildcats much.

The Pioneers scored a goal in the final minutes of the first half to tie the match. In the second half, the Wildcats made sure the game was never in doubt.

Louisburg scored three goals in the final 40 minutes and left with a 4-1 victory over the Pioneers.

Senior Adyson Ross scored the Wildcats’ goal in the first half, and defender Ellery Allen came up on a corner opportunity and was able to find the back of the net to give Louisburg the lead in the second half.

Rowan Yows put the game away as she scored back-to-back goals to end it and gave the Wildcats their first road win of the year.

The Wildcats controlled possession for much of the action and kept the Leavenworth goalie busy as they took 31 shots on goals. Yows took eight of those, while senior Bree Gassman had six. 

Here is the Louisburg Sports Zone Athlete of the Week for week one of the spring sports season, sponsored by Landmark National Bank.

ROWAN YOWS, SOPHOMORE, GIRLS SOCCER

The Louisburg girls soccer team is off to an unbeaten start to its season and sophomore Rowan Yows is a big reason why. Yows helped Louisburg to a pair of wins over Lansing and Leavenworth last week. Yows scored a goal in the Wildcats’ opener against Lansing in their 6-0 victory.

Against Leavenworth, Yows found the back of the net twice and also had an assist in Louisburg’s 4-1 victory over Leavenworth last Thursday. Between the two games, Yows also finished with 11 shots on goal.

The athlete of the week award is announced every Wednesday morning during the spring season and the winner is selected by Louisburg Sports Zone with the help of nominations from coaches.