Tuesday & Wednesday morning runs, 8am

The run that the team went on Tuesday morning can be found here:
Tuesday morning team run, 8am

The run that the team will go on Wednesday morning can be found here:
Wednesday morning team run, 8am

Men's 2012 Fall Tryouts have begun!

Tryouts have begun for the Men's 2012 Fall season!  We are excited by how many numbers and new faces we are seeing out there so far.

Due to potential inclement weather, we will be having double sessions each day this week.  From Tuesday to Friday, there will be a fitness-focused morning session from 8-10am, and a skills-focused evening session from 6-8pm.  Players are encouraged to attend as many sessions as they can, but only need to have 5 total sessions completed by the end of the week.  Players need to bring running shoes and cleats to EVERY session, morning or night.

Below is a schedule of the plans for the evening sessions and the skills that will be assessed for each player on any given day. As always, if you have questions, please feel free to contact Coach Hunter: jennamariehunter@gmail.com

	Practice Plan	Skills Tests
Monday, July 30th	·         Fitness Circuit Warm-up: Legs ·         Passing and Trapping Circle ·         Grid Work: a) checking into space b) receiving and turning c) receiving and creating space d) receiving out of the air and turning ·         Small-sided scrimmage (4v4 or 6v6) ·         Full field scrimmage ·         Fitness: Cones/Ladders	·         Passing ·         Receiving ·         Small-sided tactics During scrimmage: ·         Heading distance
Tuesday, July 31st	·         Fitness Circuit Warm-up: Arms/Back ·         Run: Stairs circuit ·         Dribbling: a) through cones b) speed dribbling c) through cones + speed dribbling ·         Coervers ·         Small-sided (3v3 to 6v6 + keepers) ·         Full field scrimmage ·         Fitness: 120s	·         Dribbling ·         Coervers/Ball Skills assessment During scrimmage: ·         Speed dribbling
Wednesday, Aug. 1st	·         Fitness:  Circuit Training/Stations (with agility and dribbling) ·         Run: 15 mins. easy ·         1v1 skills ·         1v1 tournament ·         Half-field (6v6 + keepers) ·         Full field scrimmage ·         Fitness: 6-pack	·         Push up test ·         Fitness and Strength assessments During scrimmage: ·         Toe touches ·         Side taps
Thursday, Aug. 2nd	·         Fitness Circuit Warm-up: Core/Back ·         Defensive (containing) ·         2v2 with a focus on defense ·         Shooting technique a) basic skill lesson b) 4 corners c) Dome ·         Small-sided:  7v7, one team to small cones ·         Fitness: Dribbling relays	·         Shooting technique & preparation ·         Team Shape assessment During scrimmage: ·         Half-field & full-field sprint
Friday, Aug. 3rd	·         Fitness Circuit Warm-up/Run: 2-mile run or Cooper Test ·         Training the forwards exercise ·         4v4 tactics into 4v4 scrimmage ·         Full-field scrimmage	·         Fitness test

End of Season banquet this Sunday, November 20th at 5pm!

Hello all JV Men's soccer players and parents,

Just wanted to let you know that we will be having a banquet to
celebrate the 2011 soccer season this coming Sunday, November 20th at
5pm.  The banquet will be held at Anna Maria's, the pizza restaurant
on Churton Street right off of 70 near Orange High School.  We will be
giving out awards to both Varsity and JV players for the season.

I'll let you know about any other details this week as I receive them.
Please spread the word!  Thanks!

Hope to see you there,
Coach Hunter

Thanks for a great season!

I'd like to extend a huge thanks to players, parents, school faculty and administration, and fans for all of your hard work and support this season!  Teachers, thank you for all of the cooperation and extra help with some of the players; I can't thank you enough for your time.  A huge thank-you goes to Mrs. Doyle, who drove the bus for the team to all of the away games, and a big thanks to Athletic Director Earnie Price and Athletic Trainer Jim King for the support at all of the home games.

The team after their last game against Chapel Hill

The team worked hard, learned a ton about soccer and character, had fun, and hopefully will train hard in the off-season to be ready to go by next fall.

There will be an end-of-season banquet after the Varsity programs have completed the State Playoffs.  We will let you know as soon as we finalize a place and time.

Again, thanks for all of the help!  See you at the banquet!

Despite losses in last two games to Cardinal Gibbons and Chapel Hill, Panthers accomplish goals and finish the season with a fight

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!