Panthers control back-to-back games for first two wins

MJ Bumgarner against Southern Vance

 It's been a beautiful week for soccer, and the Varsity Panthers have been happy to be getting in some quality game time.

The Panthers opened up the second week of their season with back-to-back games Monday and Tuesday night, winning them both to put them at an overall record of 2-1-1.  Monday the Panthers faced their first conference opponent, Southern Vance.  Vying to assure that they reached one of their season goals (first, make it to the playoffs, and then, make it to the second round of playoffs), the Panthers struck hard and early against Vance with a goal from sophomore Natala "Tallie" Phillips.  The team played a tough first half, with Tallie Phillips netting a second goal, and Devon Allen, MJ Bumgarner, Natalie Hartmond and Mia Phillips all putting one away before coming off 6-0 at halftime.

Shaking hands after the Bartlett Yancey game

The Panthers tried a new formation in the second half, pulling Megan Joyner and Rachel Shinnick out of the back line and running with them and Katie Bumgarner as three center midfielders.  The Panthers played solid 2-touch soccer, controlling the play through the middle of the field and then redistributing it up the sidelines.  All of the players got lots of playing time, substituting often to keep everyone fresh for the 3-game week.  In the second half, Rachel Shinnick scored her first goal of the season, followed by goalkeeper Madison Chandler, who scored as soon as she touched the ball while playing forward!  Natalie Hartmond netted her second goal of the game off of an explosive first touch through Southern Vance defenders to make it a 9-0 win for the Panthers.

Katie Bumgarner, Player of the Game

Katie Bumgarner (shown right) was awarded Player of the Game against Southern Vance for her leadership of the midfield through the trial run of the new formation, aggressive physical play, and positive instruction throughout the game.  Great game, Katie Bum! 

Tuesday night the team traveled to Yanceyville to take on non-conference opponent Bartlett Yancey.  Despite facing the sun, the Panthers rallied for the entirety of the first half, finding full-field switches and doing a much better job of playing the way they faced.  The team started in the new formation with Joyner, Shinnick, and Bumgarner again as central players.  The defensive line played quickly and decisively, with Brooke Hilliard and Devon Allen making runs up the sidelines when they had the opportunity.  Viviane Feldman secured the first goal with a driving header off of a corner kick from Ashley Blakemore.  Blakemore now leads the team in assists for the season so far.  Despite a Buccaneer goal off of a direct kick to tie up the game, the Panthers outshot the Yancey Buccaneers 11-2 in the first half and went into halftime feeling confident.

Ashley Blakemore, currently the team's assist leader 

The second half rally to win started when Ashley Blakemore sent in another corner kick that Mia Phillips shot, collected after it bounced off of a defender, and shot again into the corner to score.  Excited to have taken the lead, the Panthers crashed the Buccaneer net, and within five minutes, Mia Phillips stole a ball from a Yancey defender and sent a right-footed shot into the top left corner of the net.

Up 3-1, the Panthers sat back a a little, and unfortunately, sometimes a little is all it takes.  Bartlett Yancey secured their second goal off of a breakaway play that Madison Chandler got a hand on but couldn't quite stop.  With just less than 20 minutes left in the game, Grace Lamay took a big hit in the Yancey box to be awarded a PK shot, which she resolutely finished.  The Panthers finished out the game with a 4-2 win.

Brooke Hilliard, Player of the Game

The Player of the Game was Brooke Hilliard (pictured left), who showed vast improvements in the Bartlett Yancey game.  Her decision-making was fast and accurate. She made great overlapping runs on the outside and communicated in the back effectively.  Brooke played the whole game and made some great chances start for the team.  Great game, Brooke!

The team rests today and takes on conference opponent Cardinal Gibbons on Friday.  We hope you'll join us!