On Wednesday September 18^th, the Paint Branch Boys’ Varsity Soccer Team played at home against the Wheaton Knights. The Panthers came into the game at 2-0 on the young season and looked to continue their winning streak against the 1-1 Knights

The first half was very intense with both teams pushing equally to get ahead. Both teams were shooting as much as possible, but neither could score a goal. The first half ended in a stalemate at 0-0.

In the second half, however, the game took an exciting turn as it became a scoring frenzy. Within the first 5 minutes of the second half, Panther senior forward Renzo Quiroga blew by all the defenders and shot the ball right above the goalie’s reach, making the score 1-0, PB.

However, Wheaton tied it back up after a long cross into the box at 32:30. As the game clock wore on, the Knights’ players became ever more aggressive. At 29:30, Panther junior midfielder Khalil Badaway was seemingly intentionally pushed into the bleachers. The Panther roster was furious, but senior captain Xavier Mathews was able to calm down his teammates.

The score marked tied at 1-1 for almost the rest of the game until at 11:22 Panther sophomore forward Odie Taribou broke through the defense to put PB up 3-1. Then, just 3 minutes later, Quiroga scored his second goal of the game, bringing the score to 3-1.

With the game seemingly over, [on a very strange play], Wheaton was able to score its second goal. The Panthers players weren’t sure whether it was an own goal or not but the score was now 3-2. However, Wheaton’s attempt at a comeback was futile.

The game clock hit 0 with the final score as 3-2 PB. The Panthers improved their record to 3-0 and were victorious yet again. Mathews responded to the victory saying, “With hard work and persistence, we succeed.” Senior midfielder Malik Hussein also said, “Everything I know about morality and obligations of men, I owe it to soccer.” The Panthers hope to continue this undefeated streak at Kennedy on Monday the 23^rd.