The Panthers went on the road last Thurs. to Oracle to face the  undefeated  Mt Vista Cougars. The game had a  similar theme as when the teams met in the season opener. The Panthers scored 1st on a cross pass from the Left side to th Right forward. The Right forward took a couple of dribbles and shot at the vacated side of the goal when the goalkeeper shifted over. The first half would end 1-0, but the Cougars come back in the 2nd half.

The Cougars tied the game wen the right forward made a nice move to beat the Panther's defense. The goal was made when the Panther's goalkeeper came out to make a block, but the ball had perfect placement just beyond the goalkeeper's reach.

While the Panthers dominated the 1st half, the Cougars would dominate the second. Time after time, the Cougars were denied and real opportunities. They had 2 shots just go over the crossbar. The Panthers defense did manage to push the ball back up the other way.

The Panthers went into transition on the left side when a pass was made across the Cougar's goal box. It appeared the center forward had a beat on it, but the ball went passed. Waiting on the far side of the goal was the (back up) right forward who one timed the pass into the net. (The right forward had practiced that play over two weekends. She had been struggling with it, but wanted to be ready if the opportunity arose. It did and she came through!!!)2-1 Panthers!!!!!

Time was running out, but the Cougars would keep attacking. The game was close to ending when the Panthers made a penalty near the side line. It appeared to be a safe distance away. It was well beyond the penalty area about halfway to mid field. However, the Cougars had demonstrated an ability to shoot from long distance. The wind was also blowing towards the direction of the goal.

The Cougars set up for the free kick. The ball was kick over the Panther defense, but in front of the goalkeeper. The goalkeeper came out to make a play, but hesitated and took a step back. Meanwhile the ball took  a high bounce and it went over the goal keeper's outstretched hand and bounced once more before going into the goal. 2-2.

The goal scoring was done in the same pattern of the season opener. Each time the Panthers scored, the Cougars would match it. This time the Panthers were able to keep the Cougars from over taking them. Regulation would end with the Cougars on the attack near the Panthers penalty area within a couple of minutes after the Cougars scored the equalizer.

The Panther's were tired. They had taken a 2 hour bus drive to Oracle. The Cougars kept the ball moving at a fast pace,playing on the Panther side the second half of the game.

If a game ends tied, it is decided with shoot-outs. 5 players are selected from each team to take a penalty kick one on one against the opposing goalkeeper. The winner is the team that has the most goals after the "round of 5". If the teams end the round of 5 tied, then each team alternates in selecting a player to shoot a penalty kick. The winner is declared when one side makes a goal and the opponent misses the opportunity in the individual rounds.

The Panthers had first chance to shoot for being the visiting team. The first player selected was th Panther who scored the first goal of the game for the Panthers. The shot over the goalkeeper's hands and just over the crossbar.0-0

The Panther's goalkkeeper who had made a few saves in regulation, including a diving save to her right to stop what seemed to be a sure goal early in the game, stood ready. The lead kicker for the Cougars would kick a low shot to the goalkeeper's left, but just out of reach. Cougar's take early lead 0-1.

The Panther's second shooter shot high and toward the goalkeeper's left, hitting the corner of the net. 1-1

The Cougars 2nd kicker shot the ball low. The Panther goalkeeper blocked it !! 1-1

The Panther's 3rd kicker placed the ball almost exactly where the second shooter did, upper corner. 2-1 Panthers.

The cougar's 3rd kicker would miss wide of the goal post. 2-1 Panthers.

The Panther's fourth kicker would shoot to the opposite side that the two prior kickers had attempted. But, the result was the same!!! 3-1 Panthers.

Now the Cougars 4th kicker  could be the last if the goal isn't made. That's because the Cougars would need two to tie with only one kicker remaining. The player happened to be arguable the best shooter in the game, however. She made her shot cleanly. 3-2 Panthers.

The Panther's anchor kicker could still end it with a goal. She prepared for her shot and aimed to the goalkeeper's right. The ball went wide of the goal post. 3-2. The Cougars could still tie to keep the season alive.

The Anchor kicker for the Cougars was THEIR goalkeeper.  She readied herself for the shot. The shot was a low one on the ground toward the goalkeeper's left. The goalkeeper deflected it. The kicker (instinctively)raced toward the ball to follow through while goalkeeper pounced, safely covering the ball.  3-2 Panthers win!!!!!

Any follow up kick would have been for not for the last kicker. Only one shot is allowed. But, that demonstrated how relentless the Cougars played all season and why they WERE #1.

Today, the Panther's bus ride is much shorter by distance, but may be greater with anticipation. Being the #4 seed, the Panther's head to Stanfield this afternoon in the Championship game. (Stanfield beat Toltec in their semi final game).

This is a rematch of when the teams met two weeks ago in Maricopa. The Panthers won 3-1. Even though the Panthers took the regular season meeting, they have a big challenge in Stanfield. This time the game is away with much more at stake.

Stanfield is looking to win the championship this year after losing to Mt Vista in the Finals last year. Stanfield,like MT Vista this year, went into the playoffs undefeated.

Go Panthers!!!!