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| Morgan Collins makes a clearance |
The Panthers went in to the last two games of their season with a few realistic and attainable goals in mind. Playing the two best teams in the conference back-to-back, the team committed to a few goals: #1. Have a better goal ratio than the game before against each team. #2. Hold them to fewer goals in the second half than in the first half. #3. Score a goal. #4. Hold them to a scoreless first ten minutes, and #5. Don't give up on any play.
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| Alejandro Munoz makes a tackle |
The team went out hard against Cardinal Gibbons, who they had previously lost to 7-0, pressuring their midfielders immediately and to the inside, pushing the defense up quickly, and trying to win anything in the middle of the field. The Panthers defense caught the Crusaders offsides eight times throughout the game and utilized a few fast re-starts to move the ball forward.
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| Finn Hubbs and Austin Goehring |
With the score 5-0 at halftime, the Panthers knew that they had to pull off a solid second half. Player of the Game, Chris Lamay, played the best that he had all season, running down Gibbons' attackers and cleanly stripping them of the ball on breakaways. His speed and attacking defensive style were exceptional against the Gibbons' forwards. Bowen Collins, Hector Paredes, Tyler Taubenheim, and Morgan Collins also played decisive and powerful defense for the Panthers.
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| Trevor Samsa takes on a defender |
The Panthers fought hard in the second half, holding the Crusaders to only three goals (Goal #2 accomplished!). Jace Krogstad had a speedy breakaway late in the second half and laid an easy pass off to Trevor Samsa (pictured left), who netted a goal for the Panthers with his left foot (Goal #3: check!) and sent the Panthers rolling with momentum.
Brad Barbee had a stellar game, totaling 17 saves. Barbee came out early on breakaway players and made some crucial saves in the air off of Gibbons' corner kicks. Although the Panthers didn't hold them to a scoreless first ten minutes (Goal #1), the team kept the Crusaders scoreless for 28, which they took as a victory. At the end of the day with an 8-1 score, Tyler Taubenheim said, "well, we came out even!" in regard to goal ratio, and knowing they fought through every play (Goal #5 definitely accomplished), the Panthers were pleased to have seen 3 of their 5 goals materialize.
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| Alejandro Munoz, Coach Hunter, and Joey Ricca |
Two days later, the Panthers faced crosstown opponent Chapel Hill for the second time (previous score 8-0) with the same set of goals in hand. On a much smaller field, the Panthers worked hard to keep their outside midfielders wide, allowing more room in the center of the field for ball movement. Eli Lockwood was exceptional at outside right midfield, making long runs up the sidelines before trying to get a cross off and then getting all the way back to play weak-side defense. Brad Barbee had another exceptional game, hurting his toe early in the first half and continuing to play through it. Morgan Collins had another great game in the back, testing the waters more by carrying the ball up through Chapel Hill defenders and then making an easy pass out wide. Down Chris Lamay and Jace Krogstad (who played with Varsity against Chapel Hill), most of the Panthers played the entire game without a break, and still didn't give up.
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| RJ Jackson looks to have a shot |
Alejandro Munoz (pictured above right), Finn Hubbs (pictured top left) and Joey Ricca (pictured above left), all made stellar contributions to the team against Chapel Hill. Despite multiple attacks from the Orange forwards (Trevor Samsa, Caleb Anderson, Gabe Munoz, RJ Jackson, Gera Figueroa), the Panthers couldn't find the net against Chapel Hill. A few players came out with minor injuries (Brad Barbee, Austin Goehring, Tyler Taubenheim) and the Panthers stepped up to fill in their shoes. Daniel Allred came in for Barbee at goal and played hard against Chapel Hill for the second time this season.
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| Player of the Game, Hector Paredes |
The Player of the Game was Hector Paredes (pictured right), who played nearly the entirety of the game, hustled hard, won balls out of the air, and fought for possession against Chapel Hill. Great game, Hector!
In the end, the Panthers had a better goal ratio (7-0, Goal #1!), a better second half than the first (Goal #2), and they didn't give up on any play (Goal #5). With plenty to work on, the team took their last two games as learning experiences and went home pleased to have improved against both teams.
