Panthers play hard and win one, lose one in last two games

Lined up before the Riverside game

The Panthers played non-conference opponent Riverside High School on Monday, March 19th, before taking a long break and heading into a conference match against Northern Vance the following Monday, March 26th.

The Panthers held the Riverside Pirates to 2 goals coming off at halftime, and went out in the second half hungry to score.  Playing smart, two-touch soccer, the Panthers controlled the ball more in the second half of the game but still let 3 more Riverside goals in.  With a little over ten minutes left, freshman Rachel Shinnick netted her second goal of the season on a breakaway pass from sophomore Ashley Blakemore that she carried towards the goalie and then drilled into the back of the goal.  Excitedly, Shinnick celebrated as she ran back towards the center circle. 

Devon Allen, Player of the Game, Riverside

The Player of the Game against Riverside was defensive fighter Devon Allen, pictured right, who encompassed the Panther ethos of never giving up.  She won every 50/50 ball that came near her, made great runs up the sidelines, tracked down Riverside forwards with speed and aggression, and left it all on the field.  Great game, Devon!

The team then practiced Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday with plenty to work on, including finishing, crossing, playing out wide instead of directly through the center, and footskills.  They went into the Northern Vance game Monday night ready to notch a win in their belts.  The team started with everyone on the field that came to practice Saturday, and the starters utilized some of the tactics learned then: turning and  communicating turns.  With 15 minutes left in the half, the scoreless Panthers were ready to push one in.  After 15 shots in the first half for the Panthers going right to the goalkeeper, Tallie Phillips collected a ball on the outside left, shot, and scored her best goal for the season so far: drilled across the frame, hitting far post, and bouncing into the far right corner of the goal.

Tatiana Mangal makes a header

Jubilant, the Panthers that we all recognized came together--playing to feet, keeping the field wide, and taking on just one defender at a time.  They went into halftime confident but cautious, knowing that there is little more dangerous than a 1-0 lead at halftime.  The team committed to playing faster, dribbling less, distributing out wide, and putting their shots low and in the corners.  Playing to win in the offensive formation of a 3-5-2, the Panthers quickly started attacking the Vance goal in the second half.  Ashley Blakemore and Katie Bumgarner set up some good passes out of the center and Blakemore sent one to Mia Phillips that she collected, quickly carried up the field, and sent into the corner of the net, sending the Panthers up 2-0.

Ashley Blakemore, Player of the Game, N. Vance

The Vikings got a foul called near half-field and sent one soaring towards the Panthers' net.  Goalkeeper Madison Chandler punched it up but was so far out that it dropped behind her into the goal.  Up again by only one goal, the Panthers struck towards the Vikings net.  With 18 minutes left, Blakemore played another ball forward that was scooped up by Rachel Shinnick who brokeaway to finalize a 1-on-1 with the Vikings goalkeeper.  Composed, Shinnick found the corner of the goal to ensure the Panther's 3-1 win.

Still the Panthers have to focus on finishing.  The team took 52 total shots against the Vikings, only 26 of which were on frame.  They head into practice today focusing on shooting: precision, accuracy, power, and getting a shot off under pressure.  

The Player of the Game against Northern Vance was sophomore Ashley Blakemore, who had 8 shots (6 of which were on frame!), started the two passes that led to two of the Panthers goals, is currently the assist leader for the Panthers, and showed very collected play on Monday night.  Excellent game, Blakemore!

The team faces Riverside again on Wednesday at home and is excited for a potential comeback victory.  We hope you'll join us!