The Kokomo Wildkats hosted conference foe Lafayette Jefferson Thursday night and defeated the visitors 3-2 to move to 3-0-0 in conference play and remain in sole possession of first place in the conference race. On Senior Night, the seniors showed up and showed out, and led the team to its eighth victory in ten matches this season. The Kats struck first in the seventh minute off a lightning quick combination between senior winger Javier Carrera (12 goals, 4 assists) and senior midfielder and captain Ben Herrera (9 goals, 3 assists). Carrera’s nifty backheel pass split the Broncho defense as Herrera ran onto the pass, took one touch, and then finished the first goal past the keeper for a 1-0 lead. Three minutes later - and in his first varsity start of the season - senior center back Jedaiah Beard placed a 40 yard free kick into the left corner of the Broncho goal, doubling the Wildkat lead. However, the Bronchos would not go away quietly. Twelve minutes later, the Bronchos pressed the Wildkats in their defensive third of the field, won the ball, and scored a scrappy goal to cut the Wildkat lead in half. The Kats took a 2-1 lead into halftime. In the second half, the Bronchos technical speed and pace gave the Kats some trouble, and in the 18th minute, the Bronchos equalized. On Senior Night, though, the Wildkats would not be overcome. After shifting to the striker position with fifteen minutes remaining, Herrera slotted the ball to the left side of the Broncho defense where Carrera was starting his run. After a brief build up, Carrera calmly notched the game winner in the lower left corner of the goal. Junior goalkeeper Alan Lopez recorded five saves on the night, and defenders Juan Toscano (Sr.) and Esteban Diaz (Jr.) played well. We are thankful for the fans who have supported us this season and who helped us honor our graduating senior players and managers: Henrique Alvarenga De Oliveira Guilherme Baldinu Jedaiah Beard Javier Carrera Keara Dechert Mara Dechert Rylan Early Ben Herrera Phawat Muannara Juan Toscano Khoi Van The Wildkats have equaled their highest win total since 2018 and have a shot at becoming conference champions for the first time since 2016. Your men of the match are seniors Ben Herrera and Javier Carrera. Junior Varsity The Kats (3-3-2) were under pressure early and often but held for much of the first half and struck first when sophomore Nathan Lay finished in 16th minute of play for a 1-0 lead. After the Bronchos equalized on a penalty kick to tie the game at the half, the Bronchos rattled off four second half goals due primarily to errors committed in and around the penalty area. The Wildkats will look to rebound when they visit Logansport Tuesday.