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!