Panthers snap drought with 2-1 victory over Eastern Alamance

After a full week of practice, the Orange High JV Panthers came out Wednesday night and broke their 4-game winless streak with a thrilling victory over Eastern Alamance.  Alamance, known to run a quick-moving and fast-passing soccer program, had defeated the Panthers 3-1 in the Panthers' first game of the season, and got plenty of shots off early in the first half.  The Panthers readjusted, focusing on not chasing the ball in Alamance's defensive half and containing dribblers as they moved into the Orange High defensive area.  Jorge Lopez (pictured below left) started in goal for the Panthers and came out immediately as a force to be reckoned with.  Coming out on breakaways to slide hard and early set the tone for the Panthers' defense, admonishing Alamance to think twice about entering Lopez's goal box.

Down 1-0 at halftime off of a solid, unassisted goal by Justin Zuber, Alamance's leading scorer, the Panthers switched their lineup from a defensive 4-4-2 to a more attacking 4-3-3, moving Tyler Taubenheim to the back line, sending Bowen Collins up to forward, and running the midfield with the lone center midfielder as either Jace Krogstad or RJ Jackson.  The three forwards (Caleb Anderson, Bowen Collins, and Trevor Samsa, alternated with Brandon Clark, Gabriel Munoz, and Juan Torres), started to get a few more chances up top as balls were distributed early to the wings by midfielders and defenders alike.  Brad Barbee and Daniel Allred both played in goal during the second half, making spectacular saves.

However, with 15 minutes left, the Panthers were still down 1-0 and it seemed as though it might just be another hard-fought yet tough loss for the team.  Then, off of a pass from the back left (Chris Lamay, #42) to the left outside midfielder, (Austin Goehring, #31), Goehring took a long, fast dribble up the entire half of the field, juking two Alamance players before getting a beautiful cross off of his left foot in front of the goal.  Caleb Anderson (#17) took a one-time shot that ricocheted off of the right post and then he scrambled for the rebound.  Cutting the ball behind his standing leg, he ripped a left-footed shot off low and into the right corner of the net.  Tied 1-1, the Panthers took their momentum and started pounding the Alamance defense, knowing that a win was possible.

With seven minutes left, the Panthers had a corner kick from the right side of the field that soared in low and Caleb Anderson, great new addition to the team, had a one-touch shot right into the net.  The Panthers exploded in excitement, quickly switched back to a tight-marking 4-4-2, and Jorge Lopez went back into the goal.  Five minutes out from a win, Eastern Alamance had a 1v1 breakaway to goal, and Lopez came out with a crucial slide to save the Panthers.

After 70 minutes, Orange High finished the game notching 18 shots, 10 saves, 2 great goals, and finally, their first win.

Although the entire team got playing time and the entire team played great soccer, there were two outstanding Players of the Game, both whom were playing their first games of the season last night.  Caleb Anderson, shown pictured right, not only capitalized on his goal-scoring ability, but had the highest total number of shots for the Panthers with 10 shots during the game.  Caleb will certainly continue to be a striking force for the Panthers.  Goalkeeper Jorge Lopez, pictured above left, also had a breakout game for Orange High School, dominating the goal, diving fast, sliding hard, communicating with the defense, and sending over-half-field punts and long-distance throws out after a save.  The Panthers can't wait to see more of Jorge in action.

The team heads into another week of practice (again with conditioning Thursday and Friday) before two home games next week.  Tuesday, the Panthers will play Walter Williams, and Wednesday, the Panthers will face Northern Durham for the second time this season... hopefully duplicating their comeback victory against Eastern Alamance.  Hope to see you there!