Missing players doesn't stop Panthers from well-played soccer, but they still fall 4-1 to Northern Durham

Center defender Natalie Hartmond clears a ball away from a Knight

The team faced Northern Durham last Friday, April 20th, at the Knights stadium.  Without Mia or Tallie Phillips, Ashley Blakemore, MJ Bumgarner, Brittany Smith, and Summer Anderson, one would think that the team fell apart.  Quite the contrary.  The rest of the team picked up the responsibility, with many of the players never coming off of the field for a substitution, and held off Northern Durham for the majority of the first half.

Viviane Feldman plays tight pressure defense on #15

The Panthers defense was solid--with Natalie Hartmond (shown above right) and Viviane Feldman (shown left) winning many balls centrally out of the air, and Brooke Hilliard, Devon Allen, and Tatiana Mangal playing fast and decisive outside defense.  Goalkeeper Madison Chandler had 10 saves in the first half, helping to hold off the Knights for almost 30 minutes of the first half.  Executing on fast breaks, the Knights slipped in 2 goals before the second half.

The team agreed at halftime to continue playing fast-pace soccer: 1-and 2-touches, continuing the movement off the ball, and not pulling the ball back on a potential breakaway.  A few minutes into the second half, the Knights got their third goal, and both teams played the majority of the second half at a score of 3-0.   Devon Allen was pulled up to forward and Rachel Shinnick started to play more as an attacking center midfielder to help Allen on breakways.  The Panthers had multiple opportunities up top, set up by good passes out wide by freshmen Megan Joyner and Savannah Jackson, a few good corner kick chances by Viviane Feldman, and one near-goal off of a free kick taken by Natalie Hartmond.  Late in the second half, freshman Rachel Shinnick collected a ball off of a punt by the goalkeeper near the half-field line, set it up, and shot from way out.  The ball seemed to travel in slow motion as it dropped in behind the goalkeeper, making the score 3-1.

Grace Lamay controls the dribble

The Panthers fought hard for a second goal, but couldn't seem to close on any of their chances.  The team had a total of 16 shots against Northern Durham, and a shot on goal percentage of 44%.  The team is still striving to get their shots on goal more than 50% of the time, and hope to focus on that tonight against Conference opponent Southern Vance.

Devon Allen, Player of the Game, on a fast break from defender

It was difficult for the coaches to choose one Player of the Game as so many members of the team had breakout performances--notably Natalie Hartmond, Viviane Feldman, Brooke Hilliard, and Megan Joyner, but one player in particular epitomized the ideal of never giving up.  Providing constant hustle and effort, a winning attitude, and a level of fight that truly set her on her own level, junior Devon Allen took home the s'mores packet for earning Player of the Game.  Great game, Devon. 

The team travels to Southern Vance tonight for their final in-season away game.  They are on the hunt for a W.  Good luck, Panthers!