Photo Credit: Will Okun. All the soccer seniors pose with their parents.[/caption]Varsity women’s soccer had an exhilarating game against Cedar Ridge for senior night Wednesday, May 7. The game never had a dull moment, and the crowd was completely immersed in the action. The Panthers faced a rough loss 3-2, although they led for a majority of the game. Eight seniors were commemorated before the game started.
The senior night celebration started at 6:30 pm as Coach Jenna Hunter introduced all the seniors one by one and gave a speech about how each had contributed to the team. They walked with their parents to receive an orange rose from Hunter. The seniors were Summer Anderson, Haven Roberts, Hannah Mignosa, Ashley Blakemore, Grace Lamay, Haley Strong, Tallie Phillips, and Rowan Jaynes. Jaynes is technically a sophomore, but is leaving OHS for the North Carolina School of Science and Math.
The real soccer match started at about 6:45 and, only seconds into the game, there was a major injury. Lexi Moyer, a junior, was hit in the face with the ball and had to be taken to the hospital, where she learned she had a concussion and broken nose. The Panthers collected themselves though and were quickly making shot attempts. Rachel Shinnick scored a goal in the first 10 minutes of the match, making the score 1-0. Becca Shinnick, Natalie Chandler, Kirsten McCown, and Kaela Lane all made close shot attempts in the first half.
The second half of the soccer game was filled with drama. The Panthers came out immediately determined to make another goal. The Shinnick sisters worked together, making shot attempt after shot attempt, and it paid off. Five minutes into the second half, Rachel Shinnick scored a goal, making the game 2-0. Then, only minutes after, the Red Wolves scored, making the score 2-1, which hurt the Panthers’ confidence. After this goal, the game was downhill for the home team, although more shot attempts were made by Lane and the Shinnick sisters. With about 12 minutes left in the final half, the goal was completely open for Rachel Shinnick, who kicked the ball, believing she had an easy shot, and missed the goal. Soon after, McCown received a yellow card for pulling on an opponent's jersey while she herself was on the ground. Tensions between the two teams were growing thick. Cedar Ridge was allowed a penalty kick around the four minute mark and they easily scored. The game was now tied 2-2. The Panthers tried to make a quick attempt to score another goal so they could avoid overtime, but they were not fortunate. Lane received a yellow card for talking back to the referee after she thought she received an unfair call against herself. With only a minute and a half left in the game, Cedar Ridge was given another penalty kick, which they scored, making the final game score 3-2. The Lady Panthers tried to score another quick goal, but it was to no avail.
Although the match was a loss for the women’s soccer team, they had an exciting game that they fought tooth-and-nail for. It was by no means a blow out. Overall, the team had a good season, and they hope to come back stronger and better for the 2014-2015 season.
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