GAME RECAP: Powell 3-0 Central
In the Onrise Care High School Game of the Week, the Lady Panthers defeat the Lady Bobcats for a spot in the District 3 AAA Final.
The No. 2 seed Powell Lady Panthers (9-5-2) overcame the third-seeded Central Lady Bobcats (13-5) 3-0 at home for the second time this year in the District 3 AAA semifinal on Tuesday, Oct. 11.
Having already faced each other in a regular season match on Sept. 27, both coaches knew that securing possession would be key to the outcome of the game. Powell had a bye through the first round of playoffs and had not played since their match at Maryville on Oct. 6. Central had defeated Campbell County 7-0 on Oct. 8 and was missing several players.
Both teams fought hard through the first 20 minutes, with both sides engaging in an intense pitched battle (pun fully intended). The Lady Panthers especially demonstrated how much they’ve developed through the season, playing creatively with impeccable chemistry among the midfielders and forwards.
Central was strong in possession early, though the Panthers’ defense kept the threat minimal. The few shots Central managed to take rocketed well away from the net.
As the first half progressed, Powell drew even in the possession battle before shifting control toward Central’s end of the pitch. Sophomores Grayce Barnes and Sifa Morgan led the attack, with much of the action on the Lady Panthers’ left. Junior Makhira Ralston in midfield provided critical support for the attack.
Senior defender Kalyn Sheddan bore the pressure well for the Lady Bobcats, preventing Powell from taking many shots. Those they did manage were easy for sophomore keeper Ava Fortner to contain.
Central’s forwards and midfielders began showing signs of weariness after a ferocious opening third, allowing the Lady Panthers to pace their play. The first goal came in the 32nd minute from a downfield sprint by senior forward Hana Kirsch. She dribbled her way down the middle of the field from well within Lady Panther territory after her defense had broken up a drive. She then nailed a shot from the top of the penalty box over the keeper and into the top of the net.
Morgan nearly score the Panthers’ second from a similar play three minutes later. Central’s Sheddan missed a recovery pass after a failed corner, and Morgan drove her way inside the box. Sophomore defender Sayler Woods held tight for the length of the run and forced Morgan’s shot to roll just right of the goal.
The Lady Panthers emerged from halftime with a new fire. In the 41st minute, Morgan took another shot on goal, then senior forward Annabel Reiche scored from just in front of the net.
Minutes later, Central tried to come back to life from a corner, but junior Lady Panther keeper Ella Smith reached up to the crossbar to deny the goal.
Powell connected passes through open space, showing off their chemistry yet again. The visitors tried to push the Lady Panthers away from their half and eventually did find themselves in control. But lacking coordination up the field limited their few good chances at goal.
In the 64th minute, Kirsch scored the third for Powell. Freshman Kaydence Weinhandl threw the ball in to Reiche, who dropped it back to Kirsch. She then drilled the ball over the keeper’s head to the back post.
Central tried to build momentum late, winning the possession battle again in the closing 10 minutes. But their players were unable to break the Lady Panthers’ defensive line.
In the 74th minute, an offside call negated the Lady Bobcats’ only goal of the night. Central had taken a free kick that bounced off senior Lily Wilds’ head and deflected off a teammate, who was in an offsides position, into the net.
Central’s season drew to a close. The Lady Bobcats will lose only three seniors, so head coach Bill Mize hopes to build on this year’s performance next season.
Powell has at least two matches remaining. The team plays at West on Thursday, Oct. 13, for the AAA District 3 championship, which will determine seeding in the regional semifinals on Tuesday, Oct. 18. In their previous meeting on Sept. 20, West won 4-0.
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Powell Head Coach Victoria Weinhandl
On her team’s plan for the match:
“We like to possess. We like to hold the ball, hit our feet, hit wide, use our overlapping runs to create those gaps in the middle. First half, I don’t think we did that great. Second half I thought was better. Once they calmed down a bit, they played well.
On her team’s development over the season:
“The last two weeks have been phenomenal. Up until tonight, we were a well-oiled machine. In last week’s games, we were working together and moving off the ball for one another. We have really learned to come together in the last few weeks. We’ve had a few bumps in the road, but we’re doing well now. We just need to keep on that trajectory up and hit that peak.”
On Thursday’s matchup with West:
“I think we can play with them. It’s not out of the realm of possibility that we’re not done. It’s not foretold that we’re going to lose. But we’ve got to play the best soccer we’ve played all year. We played well against Maryville. We were able to beat them 3-1, and we were able to tie Science Hill. We just have to be able to connect and move off the ball and work together as a unit, both offensively and defensively.”
Powell Senior Forward Hana Kirsch
On her team’s performance and outlook:
“I feel like this could be our year. If we’re going to go anywhere, I feel like this is the year we’re going to do it. We’re a very very young team, but I think this is the best that we can do. I am confident that we can go into the district championship and beat West, even though they beat us during the season. I think we’ve grown as a team, and we can go out there and show them what we’re made of at their home field.”
Central Head Coach Bill Mize
On the end of his team’s season:
“We really tried tonight, we just don’t have the numbers. We didn’t do too well offensively in the final third. We had our shots, we just didn’t finish. And we had that one goal get called back offsides. Just not enough in the attacking third. Possessing in the midfield doesn’t do anything for you towards a win.”