Elsah, IL. - Tonight, the Panthers beat the Blackburn beavers 6-2. The win was a testament to the Panthers' scoring power and attacking discipline. Each of the six goals scored by the Panthers was scored with authority and by different players. The coaching staff was very pleased with their performance and excited by the progress.
The Beavers showed up with nine players, so the Panthers played them straight up with 9. Due to the low numbers, there was a lot of distance to cover, but the Panthers moved the ball around nicely. There was excellent combination play between our midfield and forwards and backline switching the point of attack.
The Panther's first goal would be 7 minutes in the game with a beautiful combination play down the right flank.
Viviane de Castro would cross the ball and find the foot of
Adriana Rucks for the goal. The attack was done with speed and finished with authority. The Panthers would dominate the first half, having many attempts at goal with a total of 14 shots.
In the first minute of the second half, the Panthers would make another combination play down the left flank for a goal.
Georgia Rather would get the assist after playing a pass to
Kaija Ufert, who would send the ball over the Blackburn keeper for a beautiful goal. The Beavers would later capitalize on a Panther keeper error to make it 2-1, but the Panthers would strike back, and de Castro scored off a volley from a cross by Rather. The Panthers' fourth goal would be from a PK due to Rather getting fouled in the box.
Rachael Williams would finish the PK and reach her first collegiate goal. Rather took a long shot from outside the box to score the Panthers' fifth goal of the night. Their sixth goal was scored by
Kannon Gill for her first goal of the season. Gill would receive a pass in the box by Ufert and finish in the left corner.
There was a lot of excellent combination play, and the Panthers could get everyone, who could play, in the match.
The Player of the match is
Georgia Rather with her three assists (if you count the foul she received in the box for a Pk and goal. She did an excellent job creating opportunities- she had a foot in four of the six goals we had this evening.
Up Next: We play away this Saturday, September 25th, against Westminster College at 7 pm. It will be a good test for our defensive shape and attacking prowess.
