Starr’s Mill traveled to College Park Friday night for a varsity doubleheader at Woodward Academy and came home with a point after a 0-0 tie. Despite controlling play and maintaining an advantage most of the game, the Panthers failed to dent the scoreboard.

Freshman Chloe Spradlin made good use of her time in the midfield with three clear chances in the first half, but was denied by the keeper on one occasion and just missed on two others. Seniors Katelyn LaRusso and Ansley Peurifoy and sophomores Meritt Parker and Rachel Davison each found an opportunity but couldn’t convert with the finishing touch. The team closed the half with control on the field but even on the scoreboard at 0-0.

The second half introduced a strong wind and a stronger Woodward. Woodward was more direct and with the wind at their backs they kept the pressure on Starr’s Mill for much of the opening minutes.

Seniors Ashton Nowicki and Sky Dedrick and juniors Lauren Avidano and Sara Biddle were more than up to the task as they limited the opposition’s chances to crosses and long shots which only called on senior keeper Spencer Dawson once to make a save. Slowly the Panthers began to get more a hold of the game with Davison, junior Makira Walton, and freshman Quin Nowicki providing options for the team.

Spradlin continued her fine form in the attacking end with Parker also keeping options open. Parker found LaRusso with a great cross, which she finished coolly before the flag went up to deny the advantage.

Sophomore Alivia Sapienza came on and provided pace and directness latching onto two through balls, but hitting one just wide with another saved by the keeper. The final seconds ticked off as Starr’s Mill defended one more Woodward advance and the honors were even at 0-0.

The tie leaves Starr’s Mill level on the season at 5-5-1 overall and 2-0-0 in the region sitting in fourth place. The team recorded its fifth shutout in seven matches with Dawson going the distance and the defense allowing only three shots.

The Panthers travel into downtown Fayetteville on March 21 to take on the current No. 3 seed Fayette County Tigers who have already clinched a spot in the 2017 AAAAA State Playoffs. The teams open a varsity doubleheader at 5:30 p.m. with the boys to follow at 7:30 p.m.

Edited by staff writer Jenna Sanders