In a completely winnable game, the boys varsity soccer team fell to the Sherwood Warriors 6-0.

Before the game, varsity head coach Shaun Shannon called on his players,to abstain from soloist soccer to free-flowing, pass first, possesion play. Coach Shaun stated, “Let’s play together, because good things happen when we do.”

Unfortunately for the young team riddled with injuries throughout the defense, the communication and discipline along the back line was not there as Sherwood capitalized on any errors by the defense. However, the forwards had moments of great individual play but nothing of real consequence as Sherwood’s defense was quick to step up and suppress any attack.

The first half of the game began with the game poised to end up in at a tie. However, just minutes before the half ended. the Warriors scored a flurry of three goals in quick succession, preying on holes in the midfield and miscues due to miscommunication on defense.

As the second half began, it took the Panthers about 15 minutes to wake up and tighten up the defense at which point the Warriors had found the net 3 more times, with the last goal being an absolute beauty of a goal, where there was nothing anyone could do about it but watch in awe. The last goal also served as the final notch in senior Ronald Little’s hat trick.

Despite the moments of individual brilliance produced by the Panthers, Sherwood’s moments of brilliance led to goals as they systematically attacked the defense with crosses and through passes which often caught the defense flat-footed and watching the ball sail into their net.

An incensed and injured Andy Danso, a senior right back, stated, “We must communicate better.”

As the team recovers from the injury bug, they can only be expected to get better. Despite their record dropping to  1-4, the Panthers are still poised to make the playoffs if they can beat the other teams in their division. Maybe a fresh start – which the playoffs can bring –  is just what the team needs to succeed. It  will be interesting to see how this young team responds to adversity.