The Platte hands Nebraska City boys soccer its first loss

NEBRASKA CITY - On a cold, dreary night with wind gusts blowing between 25 and 30 mph out of the North for the duration of the game, The Platte and Nebraska City had to battle the weather as well as each other Wednesday at Platteview High School. 

Any pass or shot attempt coming from south-to-north was met with the stiff breeze. Multiple shots nearly blew back to the direction they came from, making scoring difficult for each team.

The temperature was in the low 40s and the majority of spectators observed the action in winter coats with blankets draped over them. The Platte felt warmer on this night, though, pulling out the 1-0 victory in an unorthodox manner.

At the 14:59 mark in the first half, players from each team launched the ball into the night sky near the far-right goal. The Pioneers senior goalie Mikah Ruiz jumped up with two hands to grab the ball for the save. But as he was landing, Ruiz collided with a Stars defender, causing him to bobble the ball backwards. 

Ruiz dove after the ball and secured it, but he fell into the goal in the process for an own goal.

The goal gave The Platte all the cushion it would need.

Nebraska City had numerous scoring opportunities in the first half, but it was unable to take advantage and connect on shots. Freshman Giovani Lopez attempted a penalty kick in the 12th minute but launched the ball over the cross bar out of bounds. And with just over a minute remaining in the first half, senior Octavio Lopez fired a shot across the goal, missing just wide. 

The Stars senior goalie, Ty Orwig, had multiple impressive saves on the night, with the biggest one coming in the 79th minute. Nebraska City's Michael Bequette drilled a free kick from nearly 30 yards out, using the wind at his back to his advantage for added velocity. 

The ball appeared destined for the back of the net before Orwig leaped up over to deflect the shot away. The Stars were able to withstand two additional corner kicks after the save, before dribbling out the remaining time off the clock. 

The loss drops Nebraska City to 5-1 and The Platte improves to 5-2. 

Wednesday's match was rescheduled after being postponed because of weather on Mar. 21.