Panthers face tough loss in Home Opener to Eastern Alamance, 3-1

Despite the stands being packed for the first Home Game on Monday night, the Panthers had a hard time finding the back of the net against Eastern Alamance.  Outshot 16-10, the JV Orange High squad fought hard to keep the score 3-1.

Trevor Samsa (45) came out hard after halftime and scored 8 minutes into the second half, sending a ball soaring across the front of the goal from the right side and hitting the left side-netting.  The coaches anticipate many more scoring opportunities from Samsa in future games.

The Panther defense was solid despite having learned and practiced in the new flat-back 4-4-2 formation only a few times before Monday's game.  Having now played at game-speed, the defensive players know exactly how to hone their shape and formation on the field.  Tough battles were played in the back by all four defenders: Chris Lamay, Hector Paredes, Bowen Collins, and Morgan Collins.

The Player of the Game, however, was without doubt the goalkeeper Brad Barbee (pictured left), who entered the game mid-way through the first half.  Brad made nine superb saves, from coming far out of the box in the first half to make a big kick out of the back, to sliding a player and stopping him late in the second half on a 1v1 breakaway, to punching a shot over the bar that was too high to catch off of a corner kick.  Brad's confidence and composure on the field certainly made him stand out as a player with a lot of skill and potential this season.  He will work throughout the season with the Goalkeeper coach, Jonathan Whitford, to continue to improve even more.  Great game, Brad!

The team heads into one practice Tuesday before back-to-back games Wednesday (Away) and Thursday (Home) against Northern Durham and Bartlett Yancey, respectively.  The Panthers look forward to welcoming Finn Hubbs, Joey Ricca and Tyler Taubenheim to the roster on Wednesday.