Panthers fall to Chapel Hill, then come back to defeat Oxford Webb

Gera Figueroa battles for the ball

The OHS JV Panthers fell to Chapel Hill last Monday, but trained through a week of difficult conditioning to come back and take Oxford Webb a week later.

After three days off for a teacher-workday, the Panthers came out against Chapel Hill seemingly tired, unprepared, and unfocused.  The sharp Chapel Hill squad quickly maneuvered small-sided passes around the Panthers, widening the field and forcing the team to chase.  Down 5-0 at halftime and tired, the Panthers made a goal: make the second half better than the first.  They decided to possess the ball more, play passes to feet instead of space, and communicate more on defense.

Joey Ricca chases down a Chapel Hill attacker

The second half looked much better-- Tyler Taubenheim, Hector Paredes, Morgan Collins, and Bowen Collins all stepped quickly out of the back and started winning balls out of the air.  Daniel Allred replaced Brad Barbee in goal and rose to the challenge.  Still, it was clear that the team was tired, and Chapel Hill came out with an 8-0 win by the end of the night.  Despite accomplishing their second-half goal, the team knew that some work was in store for them.

The team came to practice Tuesday and knew that fitness would be the theme.  They laced up their sneakers and went on a 5-mile run with hill repeats.  Thursday the team pounded out a 3.5 mile loop around Governor Burke Road, and Friday's practice went from small-sided (1v1, 4v4) tournaments to an 11v11 scrimmage, keeping the team moving consistently.  Saturday morning the Panthers came out and practiced again, making sure that they got plenty of touches on the ball before the game Monday.  All in all, the team logged over 12 miles in the week, and came out against Oxford Webb ready to prove it.

Gabe Munoz

This Monday, the OHS JV Panthers consistently dominated the Oxford Webb Red Devils, outshooting them 21-5.  Trevor Samsa got a fast breakaway in the first 4 minutes of the game and netted his fourth goal of the season, starting the Panthers out in the lead for the third time all season.  Six minutes later, outside midfielder Joey Ricca sent a crisp pass up to Trevor Samsa who lofted a cross across the box.  Eli Lockwood, coming in from a sprint, had a picture-perfect diving header to secure the Panthers' second goal. 

Three minutes later, Jace Krogstad sent in a corner kick on the ground that Lockwood again followed in and kicked right into the goal, notching his third goal of the season.  Again three minutes later, Caleb Anderson sent a leading pass into the box that Trevor Samsa caught up to, touched the ball outside of the goalie's hands, jumped over the keeper, and finished the shot on goal, giving Samsa five total season goals.  Sixteen minutes into the first half, the Panthers were up 4-0.

The Panthers started to move some players around to new positions, with Jace Krogstad trying defense, goalkeeper Brad Barbee playing outside midfield, and everyone getting plenty of playing time.  Twenty minutes into the second half, Jace Krogstad earned his first goal of the season, moving the ball around a defender and having a right-footed shot on goal that the keeper got his hands on but couldn't quite stop.  The Panthers left Oxford with a well-earned 5-0 win.

Caleb Anderson and Eli Lockwood

There were two players of the game, Gabriel Munoz (shown above right) and team captain Eli Lockwood (shown left).  Gabe has really come to be a standout forward for the Panthers, and is excellent at distributing the ball quickly and making smart passes.  His level of improvement this season as well as his set-up passes and level of hustle on Monday made him stand out as the Player of the Game.  Eli Lockwood also earned the title for his non-stop effort and eye for the goal on Monday.  Not only can Eli finish a ball that's in front of the goal, he is an excellent leader, on and off the field.  Good at communicating on the field, Lockwood consistently makes himself available for long passes up the right sideline.   

Multiple of the JV players will be playing in the Varsity game against Southern Vance tonight at 6:00 pm at home.  It is the Varsity team's Senior Night.  The JV team takes on Cardinal Gibbons away next Monday.

Despite tough efforts, Panthers drop winning streak against Cardinal Gibbons

RJ Jackson gets past Gibbons' defender

With a whole new set of strategy, multiple new formations under their belts, and their signature relentless spirit, the Panthers faced powerhouse opponent Cardinal Gibbons Wednesday night ready to put up a fight.  Good thing, too, since fight they did.  Down 3-0 nine minutes into the game, the Panthers gritted their teeth and fought onward, not ready to give up.  They put Chris Lamay as a man-to-man mark against Cardinal Gibbons' #48, who had just scored two of their three goals, and saw 28 minutes of play without another goal being scored.  Chris did a great job of neutralizing #48 and forcing the rest of the team to operate within their other nine field players.  The back line worked perfectly, forcing the Crusaders offsides nine times throughout the game.  However, the team wasn't winning 50/50 balls or balls out of the air and their notorious style of aggressive and tough play was decidedly missing in the first half.  Going into halftime down 5-0, 4 of which were scored on breakaway plays, the Panthers agreed to make the Crusaders work for their win: if they were going to walk off with it, at least they'd have to earn it.

Tyler Taubenheim, Player of the Game

The second half was much better, with the Panthers controlling most of the play and putting a body on any Crusaders' player who came within their area.  The Panthers switched Tyler Taubenheim to a defensive center midfield position, knowing his presence in front of the defensive line would be a force.  He proceeded to win every ball out of the air in front of him, immediately challenge players dribbling towards him, and make himself available for distribution.  His tenacity, mental toughness, and hard work unquestionably earned him the title of Player of the Game.  The coaches are excited to start Tyler at the defensive center midfield position against Chapel Hill tonight.

Trevor Samsa played well at both outside midfield and forward, and Caleb Anderson tallied off seven shots for the Panthers.  Both Bowen and Morgan Collins were smart and concise in their defensive play, and Hector Paredes ran down multiple Gibbons' attacks in the back.  Brad Barbee played in goal for the Panthers, and finished the game with 9 solid saves. 

Jace Krogstad with a clearance

In the end, the Panthers held the Crusaders to a 2-0 second half, and were pleased to see immediate progress from the first to the second half.  Despite the loss, the Panthers haven't lost their fighting spirit, and don't plan on losing it anytime soon.  They play crosstown opponents Chapel Hill high school tonight and are ready for their next test-- both of character and competition.  The Panthers will begin their warm-up at 4pm.  We hope you'll join us for the last home game of the season!  

In an 8-minute flurry of goals, the Panthers continue their winning streak with a 4-1 victory over Oxford Webb

Eli Lockwood and Joey Ricca

Discussing second-half tactics

Although Trevor Samsa quickly (and for the second time this season!) put away the starting goal for the Panthers against Conference opponent Oxford Webb, the first half started off a little shaky for the JV Men's Soccer team.  A lack of on-field communication, organization, and drive for the JV Panthers prevailed throughout the first half, forcing the home team to scramble for shape and possession.

Going into halftime tied 1-1, however, the team suggested to "start the second half as an entirely new team."  "Forget the first half," said defender Bowen Collins, and the team went into the second half agreeing to do just that.

Tyler Taubenheim takes a kick from defense

Refusing to leave their home field with a loss Wednesday night, the Panthers took the Orange High School field in the second half just as they said they would, as an entirely new team.  Winning balls out of the air, playing aggressively, and movement off of the ball were all game-changers for the Panthers, as they wove together more intentional passes and took shots at their first opportunities to do so instead of waiting for the "perfect shot".  More talk from the back line and the center midfielders helped to re-organize the Panthers, and it showed.  Twenty-three minutes into the second half, the Panthers pulled ahead by a breakaway pass from Gerardo Figueroa to Caleb Anderson, who coolly netted his fifth goal of the season.  After that, there was no turning back for the Panthers, as they played tough, worked together, and continued to send a torrent of shots at the Oxford Webb goalkeeper.

Chris Lamay takes on Webb attacker

After the second Orange High goal, it only took the Panthers 8 minutes to snag two more goals and round the score out at 4-1.  Two minutes after Anderson's goal, Eli Lockwood collected a rebounded shot and sent it right back in with great speed and precision to pull the Panthers to a 2-goal lead.  Six minutes after that, Bowen Collins finished the job with a perfectly one-touched goal off of an on-ground cross from Caleb Anderson.  Despite Oxford Webb goalkeeper saves, Trevor Samsa and Caleb Anderson each added six shots to the team total of 23 shots throughout the game, the highest total yet for the Panthers.

Goalkeeper Daniel Allred

 The Panther defense again played quite consistently, with defenders Tyler Taubenheim (shown above right) and Chris Lamay (pictured above left) standing out as defensive forces with no shortage of hustle.  Goalkeeper Daniel Allred (pictured right) had 2 saves and Brad Barbee had 4.  Austin Goehring had an excellent game at left midfield, creating multiple opportunities in front of the goal after taking the sideline with speed and getting off accurate, well-timed crosses.  Gerardo Figueroa also played well in the middle of the field, passing often and honing his sense of composure and decision-making.

Morgan Collins and RJ Jackson

On a 3-0 winning streak, the Panthers march eagerly onward towards tough matches against Conference opponents Cardinal Gibbons and Chapel Hill, knowing that they hold a deceptive upper-hand against powerhouse teams: the element of surprise.

The next game will be at home Wednesday, October 5th against Cardinal Gibbons.  See you there!  

Panthers trounce Cedar Ridge 3-1 Tuesday night

Trevor Samsa

Dressed in all black at home, the Panthers came out fighting Tuesday night against crosstown rivals, the Cedar Ridge Red Wolves.  Playing strong from the first whistle, Trevor Samsa received a long pass from Eli Lockwood, beat a Red Wolves' defender in a footrace, and scored in just under two minutes of the game.  Riding the momentum, the Panthers played tight defense and tactically smart, small-sided soccer throughout the first half of the game.  Much of the Panthers' possession was driven by good communication, smart drop passes, and utilizing the width of the field against the Red Wolves.  Winning balls out of the air and 50/50 balls on the ground set the team apart from their opponents, as they dominated the majority of the first half and the entirety of the second.

Bowen Collins and Trevor Samsa

The Red Wolves had one shot the entire game, a breakaway to a 1v1 with goalkeeper Brad Barbee that they put away after 12 minutes.  Tied 1-1, the Panthers shifted to a flat-back 4, sent Bowen Collins to forward, and put Tyler Taubenheim in the back line.  5 minutes before halftime, Bowen Collins received a drop pass at the top of the box from center midfielder Gabriel Munoz.  Collins, back facing the goal, touched the ball across his body, turned 180 degrees, and ripped a right-footed shot into the upper left-hand corner of the goal.  Pictured right are Collins and Samsa celebrating after the second goal.  The Panthers headed hungrily into the second half leading 2-1.

Keeping the Red Wolves' to a shotless second half, the Panthers had seven more chances on goal to add to their six first-half opportunities.  Nine minutes into the second half, Eli Lockwood sent a long pass up to Caleb Anderson in the center of the field.  Caleb touched the ball to the right, forcing the goalkeeper off of the center of his line, and then sent a crisp shot across the frame of the goal and into the back left corner of the net.  Caleb now has 4 goals for the Panthers and Eli Lockwood has 3 assists.  Elatedly leading 3-1 with 20 minutes remaining, the Panthers played well-organized and containing defense to close out the game.  Morgan Collins was again impenetrable for the Panthers defense, and Tyler Taubenheim played aggressively as a central defender, winning balls out of the air and putting fast pressure on incoming attackers.  Pictured right are standout players from the game, Eli Lockwood, Tyler Taubenheim, and Morgan Collins.

Bowen Collins

The Player of The Game was Bowen Collins, who, as in most games, shifted from a central defender to an attacking position.  Not only versatile, Bowen is also confident in his ability to dominate at forward and finish shots on goal.  Bowen truly stood out on Tuesday night.  Continuous hustle, determination, and a will to win earned him the title of Player of the Game and the coaches hope that his goal-scoring floodgates have now been broken.  Great game, Bowen.

The Panthers begin Conference play on Wednesday at home against opponent Oxford Webb and are determined to add another game to their winning streak.  We hope you'll join us.

*A big thanks to Viviane Feldman, OHS Yearbook photographer, for the game photos!

Panthers earn a hard-fought 1-0 win against Bartlett Yancey

As a result of solid defense, smart, simple soccer, and steadfast goalkeeping, the Panthers enthusiastically traveled home Wednesday night with their second win of the season.  Due to windy conditions in Yanceyville, the Panthers opted not to play balls in the air and chose instead to play crisp, close passes on the ground. Working through one side of the field before sending a long cross worked for the Panthers, as they moved around the Buccaneers with a much more relaxed and controlled style of play.  One- and two-touch passes dominated the Panthers' play Thursday night, with the majority of the attacks coming from the wings as opposed to straight up through the center of the field.  The center midfielders redistributed plays through the center quickly, finding forwards in the corners up top.

As always, the Panthers' attacking options started from a solid, quick-thinking defensive line, run by Morgan Collins, Hector Paredes, Tyler Taubenheim, Chris Lamay, and Finn Hubbs for the majority of the game.  The defense looked much sharper Thursday night at picking up marks quickly, redistributing balls out wide, and calling for the drop passes to give the midfielders easy options.  The coaches are ecstatic to see how far the defense has come in just over a month of play and practice.

Austin Goehring

Outshooting Bartlett Yancey 11-2, the Panthers found their forwards through seams in the Buccaneer defense.  Caleb Anderson again dominated at the forward position, totaling 6 shots on frame.  Just over half-way into the first half, the Panthers had a corner kick from the right side that Eli Lockwood lofted over everyone in the box.  Austin Goehring, playing outside left midfield and picking up the far side of the box on the corner kick, ran through the ball just as it landed and touched it into the far side goal, giving the Panthers momentum to finish the first half with a strong lead.

The second half was hard-fought.  After a quick barrage of Bartlett Yancey attacks early in the second half, the Panthers settled down and started making concise plays up the sidelines.  With fifteen minutes left, the Panthers switched from their attacking 4-3-3 to a defensive 4-4-2, pulling Bowen Collins out of a forward position and back to defense.  In the last few minutes of the game, the Panthers had two narrowly missed chances, one by RJ Jackson that just nicked the crossbar and another by Caleb Anderson that chipped the Buccaneer goalkeeper and was on its way over the line before a Bartlett Yancey defender scrambled to the goal to make a goal-saving bicycle kick.  The Panthers rounded out the last fifteen minutes with tight defense and held on to their 1-0 lead.

Gerardo Figueroa

There were two Players of the Game, both who split time at outside left midfield and took turns taking on players with confident moves up the sideline.  Austin Goehring (#31, pictured above left) and Gerardo Figueroa (#33, pictured right) both had excellent games, Austin with his speed at outside midfield and commitment to getting back and marking up, and Gera with his newfound understanding of when to take defenders on and when to play the early pass inside.  Both players made some excellent opportunities for the Panthers, and Austin finished the one goal that sent the Panthers home with a win.  Great games, Austin and Gera!

The Panthers go into the weekend with a day off on Friday to catch up on work and recuperate.  With five players either coming out of being sick or starting to get sick, the Panthers need to make sure that they are 100% healthy by Monday for practice.  Rest and hydrate.  The JV Men's soccer team plays Cedar Ridge for the second time at home on Tuesday at 5 pm, and the Panthers are champing at the bit for their third upset.

Reminder: Saturday Practice this weekend from 9-11:30!

Please be reminded that there will be Saturday practice this weekend from 9-11:30am.  All players should bring tennis shoes as well as cleats.  Please contact Coach Hunter if there are any concerns or conflicts!  Thanks!

Panthers fall 5-1 to Northern Durham

Caleb Anderson on a breakaway

After a long Labor Day weekend and a cancelled game and practice Tuesday due to the weather, the OHS JV Men’s soccer team didn’t come out as strongly as they’d hoped to on Wednesday night.  A quick Northern Durham goal early in the first half put the Panthers at a disadvantage—one that, unfortunately, they couldn’t pull themselves out of. 

Going into the second half down 2-0, the Panthers recharged briefly and saw some flashes of drive from Bowen Collins, Morgan Collins, Chris Lamay, Gerardo Figueroa, Caleb Anderson, Eli Lockwood, and Trevor Samsa, but not enough to bring the Panthers a victory.  With twenty minutes left, Trevor Samsa made a stellar bending cross from the outside left midfield to forward Caleb Anderson (pictured above left), who cleanly touched the ball and put it perfectly in the back of the net, making the second textbook Samsa-Anderson combination goal of the season.

With the score 2-1, the Panthers momentarily fought as if a comeback was close on the horizon.  However, as Northern Durham netted their third goal, the Panthers collapsed for the first time yet this season—dropping heads, walking, and playing as though they were settling for a loss.  In the next fifteen minutes, Northern Durham finished two more goals to make it a 5-1 game.

What is to be taken from this game is not simply a loss, but a reminder: one must always play as though a win is possible, regardless of the score.  A comeback happens one goal at a time.  If a player perceives the comeback to be four total goals instead of just playing one goal at a time, the task seems insurmountable.  The reality of the situation is that the Panthers scored two goals in the last 15 minutes to beat Eastern Alamance, and Northern Durham scored 3 goals in the last 15 minutes to make it 5-1 instead of 2-1 against Orange Wednesday night—meaning, simply, that anything can happen in less than 15 minutes in a soccer game.  We've all seen it happen.  It is possible.  If the team thinks of it as such—that anything can happen in 15 minutes if you just take it one goal at a time—then that “insurmountable task” should seem that much more feasible.  Regardless of the score, the team should always play as though the win possible.  That is the type of team that the Panthers have chosen to be.

The Panthers recognized their shortcomings Wednesday after the game, discussed multiple plans for improvement, committed to being a team that never gives up again, and quickly took back to the field.  Eight days until the next game meant 8 fitness repetitions, and the team started their comeback immediately, sprinting 8 times as the Varsity team warmed up for their game.  With seven days until the team plays Bartlett Yancey away, it seems certain that some positive changes are in the works.