On home turf, varsity boys soccer beat Pace Academy, 3-2. The entire game was tight, with the Panthers securing the early-season win in penalty kicks.
“It was a great experience,” freshman Ethan Fricke said. “The team never gave up even when we were down.”
Fricke scored the first goal for Starr’s Mill. In the second half, junior Anthony Uribe scored, tying the game, 2-2. Panther keeper Caden Foerster showcased his skill in the defense the Panthers put up.
“We knew we were going to have a pretty steep learning curve when we started six freshmen tonight,” head coach Aaron Buck said. “We knew obviously that Pace was going to be a very, very good team.”
Overall the first half was tight. With multiple attempts at a shot, Pace Academy scored first.
Both teams looked strong throughout the second half but Pace Academy scored and broke the 1-1 tie with five minutes remaining in the game. With stakes high, Panther junior Anthony Uribe scored with two minutes left to send the game into penalty kicks.
“We have been practicing many specific things, like our corners […] and our penalties at least once every practice,” junior keeper Caden Foerster said.
Pace Academy went first during Pks and scored. Both teams scored each of their first three shots. Forester protected two out of five shots and every one of the Panthers who took a shot scored.
Varsity boys soccer hosts Northgate on February 24 at 8 p.m.