Kokomo Athletics

The Kokomo Wildkats concluded their conference slate, losing to the Marion Giants at home by a final score of 5-1. Nearly shut out on the scoreboard, the Wildkats did not win a conference match for the first time in three seasons. In a direct, physical game, neither team truly dominated possession, but the Giants found success in front of goal and settled the game before the half. The Wildkats conceded the first goal after a Marion midfielder dribbled through the Kats’ defensive third and crossed to an open forward who tapped it in. The Kats then created multiple one versus one opportunities, but the Giants’ keeper was up to the challenge, stopping each. After a distribution error lead to a second goal, the Giants doubled their lead before half to 4-0. In the second half, the Kats conceded only once and were able to earn a penalty kick which junior midfielder Gael Cordero scored, but the Kats could not overcome the costly errors in front of both goals. We recognized our graduating seniors before kickoff; once a Wildkat, always a Wildkat! #4 Josue Romero Murillo #16 Mattia Sessa Vitali #17 Adrian Reyes #20 Solomon Cole #21 Mattia Soranna #23 Luca Bulgueroni #31 Alan Lopez The Wildkats (2-10-1, 0-5-0) have one final home match versus Carroll next Tuesday before heading to Western two days later to make up the first game of the regular season. In the junior varsity match, the Wildkats played solid defense and limited Marion’s chances, but needed most of game’s minutes to score the winner when sophomore Darious Easton pressured a Giant defender into an error. The defender tried to shield Easton off the ball as it rolled to the Giant keeper, but Easton poked the ball past him to score the game winner with less than two minutes remaining. The Wildkats (4-4-2, 2-1-2) conclude their season next Thursday when they travel to Western.