Panthers start Spring Break with a big win, defeating Webb 6-1

Tallie Phillips controls a ball out of the air

The Thursday before Spring Break was a great night for the Orange High Women's Soccer Program.  The JV Panthers notched their first big win of the season, with goals from captains Summer Anderson and Lexi Moyer (who scored twice), as well as Sydney Chamberlain and Savannah Jackson  to defeat Oxford Webb 5-1.   Pumped up and proud of the JV program, the Varsity Panthers took the field with a commitment to "two wins," as the entire Orange Soccer Program wanted to come home victorious.

Megan Joyner playing tight pressure defense

Starting off defensively, the Panthers didn't score their first goal until about 15 minutes in the first half, when freshman Rachel Shinnick tallied her fourth goal of the season.  Webb scored a few minutes later off of a breakaway to tie it up in the first half.  Minutes before halftime, the other freshman starter, Megan Joyner, grabbed her first goal of the season after beating a defender and striking a ball across the frame with her left foot to send the Panthers into halftime with both the lead and momentum.

The Panthers rallied quickly in the second half, with Rachel Shinnick scoring again with a side volley that was passed in by Senior and captain Mia Phillips.  Surging on excitement, Tallie Phillips scored her third goal of the season, quickly followed by one from Devon Allen.  Allen, who received the ball with her back to the goal, turned the ball across her body and sent a left-footed drive into the left side of the net to put the Panthers up 5-1.

MJ Bumgarner, Player of the Game

To top it all off, after dribbling through 4 defenders, Shinnick put away her third goal of the night (sixth of the season) to get a hat trick with just over ten minutes left in the game.  The bench erupted.

The whole team played cohesively and quickly with the ball at their feet, making smart turns and passes that executed some of the fastest and most creative soccer that the team has played all season.  The midfield did an excellent job of switching and distributing the ball and the defense swiftly moved forward to deny any quick advances from Webb in the second half.  Despite some great moments, the team is still looking to increase their shot-on-goal percentage, as they took 31 shots against Oxford Webb but only put 16 on frame.

The Player of the Game was MJ Bumgarner (shown above left), who played more aggressively against Webb than in any other game during the season.  The coaches saw the game as a turning point for Bumgarner, who fought for every ball and made some great combinations up the sidelines.  Wonderful game, MJ.

The team faces crosstown rival Cedar Ridge at their home field tonight, and the excited sentiments of "game day" are high.  We hope you'll be able to join us at 6pm!