Panthers win! Panthers win!!

There was a different feel in pregame warm-ups this game than in the past games. The team was focused. There attention on the coach's every word. For the first time this season, a player on the team initiated the pregame cheer before the Panthers took the field.

Within the opening 2 minutes of the game, the Panthers were on the attack. They had a point blank opportunity right in front of the net that went just wide of goal post. Although a sure goal seemed to be missed, it sent a message to Stanfield that they had a challenge ahead.

The Panthers would get a couple of more near misses. The Stanfield defense made good stops. The goalkeeper kept her position and fended off the ruthless attack... for awhile.

The Panther's would take a 1-0 lead on a nice moves by the right forward. She dribbled by two defenders to get in close and shoot to the open far post that the goalkkeper had vacated in order to protect the near side.

Although, the halftime score remained 1-0, the Panthers were in control the entire 1st half. They came into the break extremely confident. While team took the break, the Coach reminded the players that it wasn't over, they still had to play a second half. He reminded them of game one against Mountain View when the Panthers had a 2-1 lead in the second half, only to have it slip away 3-2.

The players were instructed to play strong defense. Stanfield put the pressure on, but it didn't take long until the Panthers went into transition to score their second goal. It came on a pass from from the right side that the right center forward drilled passed a diving goalkeeper. The right center forward was the same player who had just missed two scoring opportunities in the opening minutes of the game.

With a little breathing room, the Panthers kept Stanfield at bay. Stanfield couldn't get the break they needed to get the momentum. There best chance came on free kick outside the penalty area. The Panthers had 6 players in front of the goalkeeper to form " a wall". In a symbol of team unity, the defense held hands while the free kick came toward the right side of the goal, only to be deflected by the wall and cleared out by a scrappy Panther's defense.

The Panthers weren't done offensively either. Later, they would take the ball deep into the left side of Stanfield terrority when the the left forward made a nice pass to middle. Again, the center forward one timed the cross into the net for her second goal of the game.

Stanfield would score with about 5 minutes to play. But, any hopes of a comeback were dashed. The Panthers were able to use up the final minutes without much pressure. The Panthers defeated Stanfield 3-1. It was a welcome change to the first two home games when the Panthers had to attack until game's end for a equalizer that didn't come.

Just moments after shaking hands with Stanfield, the team did an end of game cheer. Again, this was something that they hadn't done in any games past.

Although Maricopa and Stanfield have two losses each, the Panthers now hold the tie-breaker. Stanfield has one game remaining, the Panthers have two. The Panther have road games on consecutive days( Mon-Tues). The team will travel to Sacaton and finish the regular season in Eloy. The first round of playoffs is scheduled to begin just two days later(Thurs).

The Panthers still have their work cut out for them. But, with the kind of play they demonstrated against a team that came into Maricopa 4-1, they are ready to face the challenges that wait for them next week.


Go Panthers!!!