Panthers, Lady Panthers open new soccer season
The Ridgeland Panthers and Lady Panthers finally got the 2017 soccer season underway on a crisp, but beautiful afternoon in Happy Valley on Thursday.
However, it would be visiting Coosa who left Rossville the happiest as they swept both nonregion matches. penalty kick.
Alyssa Young saved four shots in goal for the Lady Panthers without allowing a goal and Kayli Moltz had four saves during her time in net.
Madison Doty, AbiGrace Tankersley, Katlyne Durham and Katie Davis all had shots on goal for Ridgeland.
Coosa boys 2, Ridgeland 0
In the nightcap, the Eagles netted the initial tally approximately 30 minutes into the match and capped the win with a goal with three minutes to play.
“The play was pretty even,” Ridgeland head coach Tim Sparks said. “Both teams had plenty of opportunities to score. Coosa was talented and knocked the ball around well. We need to clean up our play in the attacking third and take advantage of our opportunities.”
Sparks said the back line of Angel Ojeda, Ollie Holden and Conner Middleton all played well for the Panthers (0-1).
“We played well in spots and we’ll take a lot of positives away from this one,” he added. “It was a good effort from our guys for our first match, but we need to get more games underneath us because we’re not in game shape yet.”
The Ridgeland Lady Panthers suffered their second tough loss in 24 hours on Friday as they dropped a 2-1 decision to visiting Christian Heritage at Bowers and Painter Field in Rossville.
Christian Heritage girls 2, Ridgeland 1
Ridgeland had 19 shots on goal during Friday’s home game, including attempts from Doty, Davis, Julie Robinson and Kate Hixson, although Boehm was the only one to find the back of the net.
Crawford had five saves for Ridgeland (02), while Young came up with two stops.
Ridgeland boys 9, Christian Heritage 1
The Panthers got on track in a big way in the nightcap to improve to 1-1 on the season.
Middleton, Christian Crumble, Brandon Hair and Reuben Livarchuk all had goals in the opening half, while Crumble and Joe Reeves recorded firsthalf assists.
Myers Tucker opened the scoring three minutes into the second half and Crumble netted his second goal on a
penalty kick. Dalton Shields would score on a volley four minutes later.
The Lions would get on the board with approximately 10 minutes to play, but Ridgeland would net two final tallies. Pascual Mendes assisted on a Bode Tucker goal and Hair got his second assist on a goal by Holden with four minutes left.
Model will come to Ridgeland on Tuesday for a pair of matches.