Kokomo Athletics

The Kokomo Wildkats finished off their regular season home schedule this fall, handing the Carroll Cougars a loss and in the process stopped their losing streak. The Wildkats defeated the visitors by a score of 2-0 in a match dominated by the Wildkats. It was a clash of styles; the Cougars like to play direct, physical, and fast, and the Wildkats favor more of an indirect buildup style with possession. Ultimately, the Wildkats indirect play and possession led to many chances in the first half, and in the eighteenth minute of play, sophomore Darious Easton received a cross from the right flank just inside the box. He dropped the ball back to Gael Cordero who took one touch and then fired the ball into the left side netting for a 1-0 lead. The Kats would hold the lead through the end of the first half. In the second half, the Kats pounced again in the third minute when junior Nathan Lay collected the ball on the left flank off an errant touch by a Carroll defender. Lay raced up the left flank, cut in, and slotted home the second and final goal of the night. Wildkat keepers Ethan Landrum (1 save) and Alan Lopez (3 saves) shared the shutout in the Wildkats’ third win of the season. Your man of the match is junior midfielder Gael Cordero. The Wildkats (3-10-1, 0-5-0) travel to Western Thursday to conclude the regular season before turning their attention to sectionals which begin at Logansport’s turf field on Monday, October 6 at 7 pm when they take on the defending state champions, the Harrison Raiders.