Paint Branch Varsity Girls’ Soccer faced a tough Clarksburg Coyotes team last Tuesday, falling 3-1 in the new Paint Branch stadium. The girls put up a strong fight the whole game and battled to the last second, strong performances coming from senior goalkeeper Jennifer Ngo and sophomore defender Caitlin McBride.

The game started with the ball going back and forth between the teams as neither could gain an obvious advantage. That all changed suddenly as, with great passing and quick ball movement, the Panthers had a fast break ending in a spectacular finish by number 9, senior Fatima Rivas, to put PB up 1-0.

Jennifer Ngo kept the score at 1-0 with two spectacular saves with eighteen minutes left in the first half. But poor Paint Branch defense and crisp passing by the Coyotes led to their first goal with just three minutes left in the first half to tie it up 1-1, which provided momentum for Clarksburg to score a quick second goal to go ahead 2-1 with just a minute left in the first half.

The second half of the game was full of passing and great defense by both teams with only one goal scored by the Coyotes. The Panthers played a tough, physical game the whole ninety minutes, wearing the Coyotes out and sending them off the field with fatigue and injuries the whole second half.

In the end the Panthers fell to the Coyotes 3-1 to drop their record to 1-2. With Wheaton, Kennedy and Quince Orchard ahead, the Panthers look to strive forward and win those games to improve their record.