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.