Starr’s Mill lost to Marist 2-1 on March 31, making their record 12-2-0 overall. Starr’s Mill started the better of the two and created the early opportunities although never really challenging the Marist keeper, who kept a high line to deny any half chances. It was a matter of almost and just off, with some key blocks and tackles by the War Eagles keeping the danger to a minimum.

Seniors Riley Clark, Lauren Yoss, and Leslie Logan, along with junior Ansley Peurifoy, were quick to push an advantage and created five different chances in the first half. As the War Eagles began to ascend, junior Ashley Broderick and senior Laurel Parker closed down passing lanes with senior Dylan Patterson, sophomore Sara Biddle, and juniors Ashton Nowicki and Sky Dedrick working as a unit to deny many opportunities. The one time Marist got in clean, keeper senior Ashlyn Walloch came up with a huge save and smothered the ball to keep the teams level at zero when the halftime whistle sounded.

The second half saw a slow start for the Panthers, with Marist enjoying a clear territorial advantage. A short corner was only partially cleared and the War Eagle attack unleashed an unstoppable cannon from outside the penalty area to put Marist in the lead at 1-0. The goal seemed to inspire the home side and they went on the offensive.

Starr’s Mill couldn’t contain their attack and gifted away possessions, which Marist took full advantage of with a defense-splitting pass, allowing their forward to score the goal just inside the post to increase their lead to 2-0.

With 25 minutes left in the game, it seemed a sure loss for the team. However, the Panthers managed to stem the tide. Freshman Meritt Parker, senior Lexy Weaver and junior Lauren Avidano came on and provided a bit of energy and more enthusiasm. Slowly, the Starr’s Mill team began to respond. The Panthers began to see a bit more the ball and started working their way into the attacking third to put just a bit of pressure on the Marist defense.

One such foray forward led to a throw just wide of the penalty box. Yoss sent a dangerous ball into the mixer just out of the reach of Nowicki as well as the Marist defense and Clark scored to make the score 2-1 with just under nine minutes remaining.

The team’s belief and intensity was instantly lifted. With time running down, the game was there for the taking. Unfortunately, the final ball and shot was just out of reach, giving Marist the victory and handing the Lady Panthers their second loss in less than a week.

On April 12, the team will face Union Grove and put their 9-0-0 region record on the line in the opener of the varsity doubleheader at 6:00 p.m.

Edited by Jenna Sanders