Kokomo Athletics

The host West Lafayette Red Devils, ranked #7 in Class 2A, defeated the Kokomo Wildkats by a score of 4-1 Tuesday in non conference play. The Red Devils did not create many great chances in front of goal, but they made each one count. The Red Devils went up 1-0 when a hard shot from the top of the box glanced off of freshman goalkeeper Ethan Landrum’s hand. After a Red Devil attacker recovered a ball near the edge of the endline, he fired the ball into the far post past Landrum’s outstretched hands for a 2-0 lead. Although he got hands to it, a third hard shot from the right side of the penalty area beat the Wildkat keeper for a 3-0 lead. The Wildkats failed to convert on a penalty kick earned by junior team captain Ben Herrera, and although the Kats created several other chances, they entered the half down 3-0. A Red Devil free kick near the start of the second half found the back of the net for a 4-0 lead, but the Wildkats continued to compete and create chances off of multiple corner kicks and opportunities in the run of play. The Kats earned a second PK - which the Red Devil keeper saved - again! Late in the game, senior team captain AJ Blessing shifted from his midfield role and teamed with senior Flory Bidunga up front. Blessing’s service from the right flank resulted in a nice header goal to cut the lead to 4-1, but the Red Devils preserved the victory. Your Man of the Match is senior team captain AJ Blessing. The Wildkats (2-4-0, 0-2-0) host undefeated Hamilton Heights at home on Thursday. The junior varsity team dropped a 2-0 decision to the hosts. Although they created several chances on goal, the Red Devils capitalized on two errors in front of the Wildkat goal.