The Kokomo Wildkats lost a hard-fought sectional semi-final to the Lafayette Jefferson Bronchos by a score of 3-2. In a game filled with aggressive, physical play, the Wildkats came out and controlled the tempo, creating several shots and corner kicks. Javier Carrera’s free kick kick in the 8th minute of play bounced off the crossbar, and the game’s momentum shifted. In the 18th minute of play, the Bronchos crossed the ball into the Kat penalty box and a Broncho attacker collided with freshman keeper Ethan Landrum. After a penalty kick was awarded, Landrum was shown red, and the Kats had to play for the rest of the game with ten men. The Bronchos scored the PK, and two minutes later, an own goal put the Bronchos up 2-0. The Kats held until halftime, and regrouped. In the second half, the Kats shifted their system to try and create more scoring chances and limit those of the Bronchos. The Kats scored in 14th minute off a 50 yard bomb of a free kick by sophomore Adrian Reyes to make it 2-1. The Kats - with only 10 men on the field - were the better team - possessing the ball, creating shots, and creating corners. With 17 minutes left, the Bronchos broke through the Wildkat defense to make it 3-1, and with just under 10 minutes, junior Javier Carrera earned a PK after being tripped in the box. Carrera’s PK made it 3-2, but the Kats could not find the game-tying goal, and concluded their season with a 3-2 loss. The man of the match is Javier Carrera who finishes the season leading the team in goals with 12. The Wildkats (6-10-0, 3-4-0) played with a lot of heart tonight. We will miss our seniors: co-captain AJ Blessing, Flory Bidunga, Desmonte McDonald, and Igor Oliviera Alves.