Game Reviews: April 17th-April 29th

Thanks again for the reviews, MJ!

Weds., April 17th: Chapel Hill, Away

The Panthers traveled to Chapel Hill Wednesday, April 17th to play the Tigers for the second time. The Junior Varsity team started out strong by keeping possession and staying on the Tigers' half. Kaela Lane had a beautiful shot that hit the cross ball in the first half of the game. Elizabeth Oeien had a beautiful shot during the first half as well. The Junior Varsity team played a tough game but unfortunately came out with a loss. The final score of their game was 5-0.

Barbee, GK

The Varsity Panthers started out strong during warm ups. By changing the warm up a tad, the Panthers managed to get more touches on the ball while moving. The warm up also allowed the Panthers to check to the ball when trapping which was very important for the game against the Tigers. The Panthers started off shaky at kick off by letting in two quick goals. However, the Panthers bounced back and started playing their game. Even though at the end of the first half the score was 7-0, the score did not represent how the Panthers were playing. The Panthers were shutting down runs, cutting off crosses, checking to the ball, and playing aggressive. After a much-needed half time, the Panthers came out strong and gave the Tigers a run for their money. Megan Joyner was in control of the middle of the field distributing the ball to the strikers. The defense was playing high, catching girls off side. Beth Barbee and Madison Chandler both played exceptionally well throughout the game. At the end of the second half the final score was 8-0. The Panthers only allowed one goal during the second half. The Panthers walked off the field knowing that they played their game their way. 

Monday, April 22nd: Cardinal Gibbons, Away, JV: L: 7-0, V: L: 9-0

Monday, April 29th: J.F. Webb, Away 

Monday, April 29, the Panthers set out to Oxford to play J.F.Webb for a final time. JV came out strong and stayed in control of the game. Junior, Elizabeth Oeien made a hat trick (three goals) in the first half of the game allowing the Panthers to have a steady lead.

Blakemore had the hustle play that led to the 1-0 win for the Panthers

Varsity started the game a little slow, allowing Webb to make some crosses across the Panthers' goal. However, the Panthers quickly picked up the pace of play and started playing possession. While both teams were evenly matched, the Panthers were winning fifty-fifty balls, checking to the ball, and passing to feet. At the end of the half, the score was 0-0. Still with the taste of their previous late-game loss to Webb in their mouths, the Panthers were on a mission; a mission to win. The second half began and the Panthers were in control. Their defense was
keeping the line high and catching girls offsides. The midfield was shutting down balls and keeping it on Webb's half. The forwards were making great runs and beautiful shots on goal. With five minutes remaining, junior Ashley Blakemore, who had been having her best game all season, battled the Webb goalkeeper and they both went down.  Ashley barely won possession and got the ball off to teammate Devon Allen.  With the keeper out, Allen sent a quick cross to the goal.  Sophomore Rachel Shinnick crashed the goal and sent the Panthers into a 1-0 lead. With less than five minutes left in the game, the Panthers kept possession, allowing the clock to run out. The Panthers left everything on the field. 

Game Reviews, March 26th-April 15th

Big thanks to MJ Bumgarner for compiling the game reviews!

Tuesday, March 26th:  Chapel Hill, Home

Shinnick found the back of the net against Chapel Hill

On Tuesday, March 26th, the Chapel Hill Tigers came to Panther territory.  At the end of the nine weeks, the Panthers were pretty beat.  Injuries had accumulated and the team was ready for a much-needed Spring Break.  Varsity lost by 9, but not without slipping in a goal on the Tigers.  The goal was scored by Rachel Shinnick after collecting it off of a goal kick.  (Post-game note: Shinnick is the only player in the conference not on Cardinal Gibbons to score on Chapel Hill this season.  Great job, Rachel!)

Tuesday, April 9th:  Southern Vance, Away

After a jubilant spring break in Montreat, NC, the Varsity team traveled up to Southern Vance to capitalize on all the hard work and sweat they put in during their time off.  Although the Panthers practiced all week, climbed mountains, and ran trails, they started out slow against Southern Vance.  After about twenty minutes into the first half, Viviane Feldman found the back of the net off of a bent kick from the goal line. Shortly after the first goal, Devon Allen scored, assisted by Feldman, and Rachel Shinnick scored assisted by Grace Lamay. The Panthers were stringing along strong passes and were playing to feet. However, the Panthers were not playing the way they faced. After half time, the Panthers changed the line up a little dramatically by putting Feldman in goal and Madison Chandler and MJ Bumgarner as forwards. Quick into the second half, Natalie Hartmond and Ashley Blakemore both got goals for the Panthers. Rowan Jaynes, usually a defender, played outside right midfield for the first time for the Panthers. Rowan scored and was assisted by Bumgarner. Madison, usually the Panthers goalkeeper, assisted a goal to MJ and then MJ assisted a goal to Madison. All five seniors scored for the Panthers. The last and final goal was made by Rachel Shinnick.

Wednesday, April 10th:  J.F. Webb, Home

On April 10th, a beautiful Wednesday afternoon, Webb traveled to Hillsborough to play the Panthers. The JV team started out and ended strong. The JV Panthers won 7-0 against Webb.  The JV team strung together connecting passes which allowed them to find the back of the net.  

Pumped off of JV's win, the Varsity team started out strong as well. The Panthers were playing to feet and checking to the ball. With speedy forwards, Webb slipped through the Panthers' defense and scored. Reacting to being down one goal, the Panthers started playing more tough. Rachel Shinnick was able to make it through the Webb defense and score. Now with the game tied, both teams were eager to score. Webb had another breakaway and scored one more time on the Panthers. Transitioning to a more offensive line up once again, the Panthers gave the ball to Rachel who scored right before the half ended. In the second half, both teams were playing aggressively and multiple injuries occurred for both teams. A foul was called in front of the Panthers goal letting Webb have a free kick. A Webb player held the ball while the other teammate ran around the wall, received a pass, and shot a ball into the goal. With the Panthers down a goal, they started picking the pace of the game up. However, the Panthers were unable to get another goal. The final score of the game was 3-2, with Webb taking home the victory.  

Monday, April 15th:  Northern Vance, Away

Hartmond added the last goal against N. Vance

The Varsity Panthers traveled to Northern Vance on April 15th. Having a strong warm up, the Panthers took the field where they held possession of the ball. In previous practices, the Panthers worked on crossing the ball to feet in front of the goal. The Panthers applied what they had practiced onto the field during the Northern Vance game. Devon Allen, playing outside right mid, was making great crosses to the Panthers forwards and other mids while receiving and shooting the ball as well. While the Northern Vance team has a great goalkeeper, Allen was able to soar a ball past her to take a 1-0 lead. Shortly after the first goal, Lexi Moyer also found the back of the net leaving the score at half time 2-0. The Panthers came out after half time strong. By playing two-touch, the Panthers were able to keep the ball on Northern Vance's half. Rachel Shinnick and Natalie Hartmond both had beautiful goals in the second half sending the Panthers home with a 4-0 win. 

Notice: The game tonight vs. Oxford Webb is ON!

Attention all parents and players: As of right now, 11:30am, the game vs. Oxford Webb today is still on.  The JV game is at 5pm and the Varsity game is at 6:45pm.  We will let you know if we hear of any changes otherwise.

Thanks, and Go Panthers!
-Coach Hunter

Game vs. Southern Vance CANCELED!

The game against Southern Vance has been canceled and will not be rescheduled.  The Varsity team will practice Wednesday from 4:15pm to 6:15pm, and there will not be a JV practice.

We really hope to see you at our last home game next week (also Senior Night!) against Northern Vance.  That game will start at 6pm.

JV and Varsity Schedules for the coming weeks

A few announcements through the end of the season:

JV:

Tuesday, 4/23:  Practice as usual.

Wednesday: 4/24:  No practice unless you are a rising senior, goalkeeper, or captain.  If you are any of those things, you need to report to the OHS Soccer Field at 4:45pm to warm-up for the game.  White jerseys, black shorts, white socks.   After the game, we would love it if you could attend the Baseball/Softball Fundraiser game for cancer (starts at 7pm).  Wear pink to support the the baseball/softball teams and cancer!

Thursday:  Practice as usual.

Friday: Practice as usual unless you hear from us otherwise.  Tell your teachers that you'll be leaving early on Monday, since you won't really be in 4th period at all on Monday!

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Saturday: No practice.

Monday:  Dismiss at 2:15pm to travel to Oxford Webb, all away uniforms.  Bring money for a potential stop.

Tuesday:  No practice unless you have been asked to join the Varsity team for the rest of their season.

Wednesday:  Attend Senior Night for the Varsity team!  They'd love to have your support!

*Meeting to turn in uniforms, talk about the banquet, etc: TBA.

Varsity:

Tuesday, 4/23:  Practice will end EARLY (5:20pm)--go home and do your homework/rest.  If you can't get a ride to pick you up early, you can stay at the field while JV is finishing up practice and work on homework.

Wednesday: 4/24:  Report to the OHS Soccer Field at 4:45pm to warm-up for the game.  White jerseys, black shorts, white socks.  After the game, we would love it if you could attend the Baseball/Softball Fundraiser game for cancer (starts at 7pm).  Wear pink to support the baseball/softball teams and cancer!

Thursday:  Practice as usual.

Friday: Practice as usual unless you hear from us otherwise.  Tell your teachers that you'll be leaving early on Monday, since you won't really be in 4th period at all on Monday!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Saturday: Practice, 9-11am at OHS Soccer Field with Coach Daly.

Monday:  Dismiss at 2:15pm to travel to Oxford Webb, all away uniforms.  Bring money for a potential stop.

Tuesday:  Practice as usual.

Wednesday:  Report to the field at 4:30pm for Senior Night.  We'll start to warm-up at 4:30pm to account for the Senior Night introductions, etc.

Game Reviews, March 15th-March 22nd

Game Reviews compiled by MJ Bumgarner

Bartlett Yancey, Home, Friday, March 15th, W, 2-1: 

Friday March 15, was the first home game of the season for the Varsity team.

Hannah Mignosa sends a soaring header over BY's defensive line

The Panthers had an opening ceremony where they called names and also played the National Anthem. 

Hannah Mignosa and Lexi Moyer both scored goals for the Panthers. 

MJ Bumgarner fights to send the ball down the line to
an expectant Haley Strong in the BY game.

Despite an extremely physical game, the Panthers came out on top with a 2-1 win.  Bartlett Yancey's only goal was disputed as the ball was shot into the high right corner and thought to have gone through a hole in the top of the net. In the following days at practice, we used zip ties to secure the netting of our goal. 

Cedar Ridge, Away, Monday, March 18th, W: 2-1:

On Monday, March 18th, the Panthers traveled to Red Wolf territory.  In an effort to deny Cedar Ridge their goal of the season, which in the News of Orange had been to "beat the Panthers twice," Varsity won 2-1.

After going into halftime tied 0-0, Rachel Shinnick scored both goals in the second half, with the second goal sliding perfectly underneath the goalie to put Orange up by 1 goal with 16 minutes left in the game. Once gaining the lead, the Panthers started to play more defensively to secure the victory.

Despite rainy and cold conditions, the Panthers traveled home proud and happy.

Cardinal Gibbons, Home, Wednesday, March 20th, L: 6-0: 

Ashley Blakemore weaves around Bartlett Yancey players

Gibbons did not start their starting string. Then after twenty minutes, they put in their first string team. Panthers reacted to the high intensity game by playing more defensively and with more intensity.

In the second half, the Panthers picked up the offense and shook up the Gibbons defense a bit. The Panthers strung along beautiful passes when they were in possession of the ball and tried to break the game down into "one possession at a time."   The game ended with a hard-fought, 6-0 loss.

Beth Barbee, Player of the Game against Riverside

Lexi Moyer takes the ball out of Orange's defending half
during the Riverside game.

Riverside, Away, Friday, March 22nd, L: 2-0:

On their third game of the week, the Panthers were fatigued, but played hard.  Despite a sprained ankle, bloody nose, and multiple bruises from the week of games, the Panthers hung tough throughout the game and held Riveside to a 0-0 draw until there were about 20 minutes left.  Riverside slipped two back-to-back goals in to make it a 2-0 Varsity loss.  Beth Barbee got some time in goal and made some great saves throughout the second half, including a last-minute save from putting the Panthers down a third goal.  

No JV or Varsity Practice today, Friday, April 12th

Attention Parents!

There will be NO Varsity or JV soccer practice today, Friday April 12th.

Please contact Coach Hunter if you have any questions!

The Online Store for Spirit Wear is now OPEN!

Exciting news... the online store through Total Exposure for Spirit Wear is now open!  There are a variety of items available, including a player-submitted design for this year and an old favorite sweatshirt from three years ago.  Please share the link with your friends and family--any proceeds will go directly back into the Orange High School Soccer Program!  All orders are due and the store will close on Friday, March 22nd, at midnight.

*PLEASE NOTE: We are aware that the quote on the items on the website is INCORRECT.  It has since been fixed and will appear correctly on all of the items.  It just has not yet been changed on the website.  The quote on the back of the shirt will read as follows: "I am a member of a team, and I rely on the team, I defer to it and sacrifice for it, because the team, not the individual, is the ultimate champion."

We hope to have all of the items available for pickup right after Spring Break!

Click here for the OHS Women's Soccer 2013 Online Store!

Practice changes for Wednesday, March 13th

Hello teams.

Please see the schedule below for details about today's practice:

JV will practice in the Big Gym from 4-5pm.  Parent pick-up for JV is at 5pm.

Varsity will meet in Room 407 from 4-5pm to discuss formation, practice in the Big Gym from 5-5:40, and then go to the field for a walk-through/short drill from 5:45-6:30pm.  Parent pick-up for Varsity will be at 6:30pm.

As always, let me know if you have questions.

Coach Hunter

Change in practice plans, Tuesday, 3/12

Due to the heavy rain last night and this morning, the teams will not be on the fields today.  See below for the detailed schedule.

4:00pm: JV: Meet in Coach Bowman's Room for Study Hall, Varsity: Meet in Coach Hunter's room, change into clothes to wear outdoors and tennis shoes.

4:00-5:00pm: JV: Study Hall, Varsity: Outdoor fitness.

5:00-5:45pm: JV: Small gym, Varsity: Return from outdoor fitness, new formation talk, etc.

5:45-6:30:  JV: Home, Varsity: Small gym

All parent pick-up will be outside of the small gym.

As always, let the coaches know if you have questions.

Varsity game CANCELED against Southern Durham (Monday, March 11th)

The Varsity game that was scheduled against Southern Durham for this Monday, March 11th, has been canceled.  The coaching staff is working on a potential rescheduling, and will inform you as soon as we hear anything.

Varsity 2013. Not pictured: B. Barbee, H. Mignosa, J. Scott

Unless you hear otherwise, JV will practice Monday from 4:00-5:45pm and Varsity will practice from 4:15-6:15pm.  Varsity players need to bring tennis shoes and cleats Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of next week!

Panthers stumble against Eastern Alamance

Thursday, March 7th
The Panthers traveled to Eastern Alamance for their second game of the season on another cold night.  Although the JV team lost to Eastern Alamance 6-0, they move into a tough practice Friday afternoon with specific corrections to focus on before their weekend of rest.

Shinnick lines up for a shot

The Varsity Panthers followed up the JV team, taking the field for about ten minutes before kickoff.  Hungry to come out on top after a close match against Northern Durham, they played with high first-half intensity and dominated the play of the game.  Rachel Shinnick put the Panthers up midway through the first half with a tight move that crossed the ball over to her left foot, where she sliced a shot across the goal and hit the far net.  Screams of "Happy Birthday" soon followed and the Panthers went into halftime leading 1-0.

The team slipped somewhat in the second half, not winning as many 50/50 balls and not playing passes on the ground as much as they had in the first half.  Despite multiple close chances on goal, they couldn't finish a second goal.  With 12 minutes left to play, a speedy Eastern Alamance player slipped through the Panthers defense and slid a low shot in past keeper Madison Chandler.

The team switched to a more offensive lineup, hoping to take the lead.  After some close shots and an extremely close corner kick opportunity, with two minutes left to play, the Alamance Eagles were awarded a penalty kick for a handball in the box.  Despite a solid dive from goalkeeper Madison Chandler, the Eagles went up 2-1 after scoring the PK and took home the win.  After the game, Coach Daly discussed "controlling what you can and being graceful about what you can't," and the team traveled home.

Rowan Jaynes, POTG

The Player of the Game was newcomer Rowan Jaynes, who, on top of her growing tenacity, willingness to learn, positive attitude, and overall athleticism, saved at least two shots that were near goals.  One took place after she made a sprinting run all the way across the field to legally slide tackle an Alamance player rearing to take a shot.  The second save came after Jaynes held her post on a corner kick and then leapt into the air to head away a ball that would have assuredly been an Eagle goal.  Great game, Bowman Jayner!

The teams both practice today until 5:45 and will then attend the Tree Dedication Ceremony for Kacie Chamberlain at 6pm at the softball field.

We hope you'll join us next week for three Varsity games and one JV game!

There is NOT a home game against Riverside tonight, Friday, 3/8/13

The home game against Riverside that was supposed to take place on Wednesday has NOT been rescheduled to tonight (Friday, 3/8/13).  We tried to reschedule it for this week but our schedules did not align.

Thanks for your understanding!

Feel free to contact Coach Hunter with questions.

Eastern Alamance game that was scheduled for Friday is now TOMORROW, Thursday, March 7th!

Attention all OHS Women's Soccer Players and Parents!  The game vs. Eastern Alamance that was scheduled for Friday, March 8th is now tomorrow, March 7th!

The game times are the same: 5:30pm and 7pm.  Students will be dismissed from class at 3:35pm, and the bus will leave at 4pm.

ALL PLAYERS: PLEASE BRING ALL OF YOUR GEAR FOR THE GAME AS WELL AS BOTH JERSEYS (HOME AND AWAY!)

Parents: We'd love to have you!  Hope to see you out there!

Please let Coach Hunter know if you have any questions!

2013 Women's Soccer Program opens season at Northern Durham with strong contest

The 2013 OHS Women's Soccer Program

Kaela Lane makes an attacking run

The Women's Soccer Program opened up their 2013 season with a JV and Varsity game at Northern Durham.  Both teams played hard-fought games.  The JV squad, led by captains Kaela Lane (pictured right) and Tiffany Connolly (not pictured), fell to Northern Durham 5-0.  Despite the loss, they are positive about moving forward and are ready to focus on their areas of improvement.

Lexi Moyer challenges the goalkeeper

Tallie Phillips sends in a cross

The Varsity squad, led by 5 strong seniors, two of them captains (MJ Bumgarner and Madison Chandler, pictured below), put up a good battle against Northern Durham, swiftly answering 2 of the Knights' three goals.  However, despite outshooting the Knights, the Panthers couldn't put a third goal in the back of the net to tie the game.  The team was positive about their first appearance, however, and look forward to facing Northern Durham again.  Stellar performances were had by Madison Chandler in goal, and the "Player of the Game," Megan Joyner, who prevented multiple breakaway attacks on defense.

Proud of their hustle and much-improved physical presence, the Panthers go into the rest of week ready to work hard and continue to contend with some tough future opponents!

*BIG thanks to Assistant Principal, Mr. Okun, for the action shots!!

MJ Bumgarner

Madison Chandler

Home Game vs. Riverside canceled for today, 3/6

The game that was scheduled for today against Riverside High School has been canceled due to field conditions.  It might get rescheduled for tomorrow, so all players need to pack their jerseys and game wear as necessary for tomorrow.  We will let you know tomorrow about the game as we assess the field throughout the day.

The JV team will NOT practice today.

Varsity WILL practice today, from 4:00pm-6:15pm in one of the gyms.  Players, check your emails for a more detailed practice location.  Once that is finalized, Coach Hunter will email you.  Bring warm clothes for outside just in case!