Panthers head into Conference play after a solid first week

Discussing strategy before the game

The Orange High School Panthers had their two first games back-to-back this week, facing crosstown opponent Cedar Ridge on Tuesday followed by Northern Durham on Wednesday.  Excited and ready to play their first game, the Panthers struck hard against Cedar Ridge, making combination passes in their first play and continuing to connect throughout the game.  After a great pass from freshman Megan Joyner, Hannah Mignosa netted the first goal for Orange within only 7 minutes of play, sailing a left-footed floater over the keeper's hands to put the Panthers in the lead.  The Panthers continued to play composed throughout the half, utilizing one-touch passes to advance the ball up both sides of the field.  The Red Wolves responded off of a breakaway with ten minutes left in the first half, sending the Panthers into halftime tied 1-1.

Recharged coming in to the second half, Senior Mia Phillips received a ball across the front of the Cedar Ridge goal, touched it once in front of her, and hit a perfectly-struck left-footed shot across the frame to pull the Panthers in the lead again, 2-1.  Unfortunately, on the landing, Phillips hyperextended her knee, forcing her to sit for the rest of the game.  When she looked up from the ground, the coaches said, "Hey, you scored that goal." She had no idea.  "Really?" she responded with her signature smile, and the team knew she was going to be just fine.

Tallie Phillips, Player of the Game

The rest of the half was pretty thrilling.  Cedar Ridge was quick to tie it up again ten minutes later, and then narrowly missed a PK that would have put them in the lead.  Driven to win their first game, the Panthers bombarded the Cedar Ridge net at the end of the game, adding 10 shots to their total of 24 throughout the game.

Great performances were had by the entire team, but a few players really stood out.  Ashley Blakemore, Tallie Phillips, and the two new freshmen, Megan Joyner and Rachel Shinnick, were all standout players for the Panthers.  Tallie Phillips, pictured above right, took home "Player of the Game" for her continuous hustle, crisp passes, and great striking opportunities up the right sideline.

In the end the Panthers went home with a 2-2 tie, but also with the knowledge that they have the capability to be a standout team this season.
 
The next day, the Panthers opened the season at home against Northern Durham.  A quick goal in the first two minutes of the game brought down previously high Panther morale, and was followed by one more.  The team quickly realized that nothing gets you in "game shape" quite like playing games, as multiple players came off of the field with injuries.  They fought hard and continued to make advances up the field despite having multiple starters sitting out with injuries, including Phillips and Haley Strong, who went down early in the game with an ankle injury.

Natalie Hartmond, Player of the Game

The second half was much better than the first, with the Panthers playing more aggressively, communicating better, and trying to piece together more of the game tactics they had used the night before against Cedar Ridge.  Despite outshooting the Knights 11-8, the Panthers left the field with a 4-0 loss, disappointed but pleased to know that they would face the Knights again later in the season and that the outcome wouldn't be the same.

Viviane Feldman, Player of the Game

There were two players of the game against Northern Durham, Juniors Viviane Feldman (pictured left) and Natalie Hartmond (pictured above right), both of whom showed steadfast effort, consistent aggressiveness, and poise on the field for the entirety of the game.

The Panthers' game against Riverside was cancelled, and they will practice Friday before their first conference game at home on Monday against Southern Vance.  A huge thanks to all of the parents, friends, and fans that came out to the first two games.  See you Monday; Go Panthers!