Soccer (Boys V)

Wildkats Wear Down Cougars in Final Match of the 2024 Regular Season, Win 4-2

By Aaron Blessing | Oct 1, 2024 12:00 AM

The Kokomo Wildkats finished off their regular season schedule this fall, handing the Carroll Cougars a loss and in the process extended their unbeaten streak to six matches. The Wildkats defeated the hosts by a score of 4-2 in a match dominated by the Wildkats’ attacking chances. It was a clash of styles; the Cougars like to play direct, physical, and fast, and the Wildkats favor indirect buildup with possession. Ultimately, the Wildkats indirect play and possession led to many chances, and in the ninth minute of play, senior Ben Herrera slotted the ball from left to right at the top of the box where senior winger Gui Baldinu finished a shot in the corner for 1-0 lead. Ten minutes later, the Cougars responded, but with just under a minute to play in the first half, Herrera notched his second assist of the night when he passed the ball to junior midfielder Andre Gomes who fired a shot from just outside the penalty box to regain the lead. In the second half, the Cougars equalized, but Herrera once again unlocked the Cougar defense, this time finding junior striker Arthur Barbosa at the top of the box. Barbosa sidestepped a defender and slammed the ball into the side netting on the right side of the goal from just outside the penalty area to take the lead for good with ten minutes remaining. Five minutes later, senior Javier Carrera notched a goal from just inside the area off of Herrera’s fourth assist of the night. Wildkat keeper Alan Lopez recorded two saves in Wildkats’ 12th win of the season. Your man of the match is senior midfielder and captain Benjamin Herrera. The Wildkats (12-2-1, 5-0-0) now turn their attention to sectionals which begin at Harrison’s turf field on Monday, October 7 at 5:30 pm when they take on the McCutcheon Mavericks. The Wildkats dropped a 6-4 decision to the Mavericks earlier in the season and are eager for a rematch.

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