Starr’s Mill won their third region match 3-0 over Fayette County Tuesday night, on a beautiful night that developed a dark cloud. The Panthers quickly asserted control of the match and were winning chances after an early Tiger press in the first couple of minutes.

Starr’s Mill was getting looks through seniors Ansley Peurifoy and Katelyn LaRusso as the pair held the ball up well and were penetrating consistently. Freshmen Quin Nowicki and Chloe Spradlin, and sophomore Meritt Parker worked well together and kept the pressure on when Spradlin played a beautiful ball splitting the Tiger defense.

LaRusso was in like a shot alone against the keeper looking to go around her when they collided at full speed. Unfortunately, both players were knocked out of the game after just ten minutes and a penalty was awarded to the Panthers. Captain Peurifoy stepped to the spot and struck it cleanly into the back of the net for the 1-0 lead. The break in play seemed to lower the intensity of both teams for a while with Starr’s Mill still keeping possession and controlling play.

After some more sustained pressure the Panthers found goal number two. Quin laid a ball back to senior Ashton Nowicki who hit a laser into the top right corner of the goal from 25 yards to double the advantage in

the 21st minute. Play continued with the occasional Tiger break and majority Panther possession throughout the half.

Sophomore Rachel Davison, forced into a more offensive role, kept the ball moving and combined with Makira Walton to break up opposition play. The defense allowed the team control of the ball all over the field as seniors Nowicki and Sky Dedrick and juniors Sara Biddle and Lauren Avidano worked it smoothly from side to side starting most attacks.

The team’s defense was impeccable as they closed the half without allowing a shot on goal. Senior keeper Spencer Dawson, always an outlet in the back, had a relaxed half.

Starr’s Mill continued its assault on the Tiger goal as Peurifoy was leading the line excellently. After penetrating the right flank, Peurifoy made a beeline to the goal drawing in the Tiger defense. She split the center backs with a cross to Parker at the penalty spot who took her two touches and finished into the far corner for a 3-0 lead with just 15 ticks left on the clock in the first half. That closed the first stanza with Starr’s Mill holding the commanding 3-0 lead.

The second half was more of the same with a bit more life in the Fayette County side. They created some half chances from distance that Dawson collected coolly and a couple of break aways that had to be cleaned up, but the defense held the clean sheet in tack. The attack was always a threat but failed to dent the back of the net in the second half and the game finished 3-0 in the end.

The win moves the Panthers to 6-5-1 on the season and 3-0-0 in the region.

The Lady Panthers return home March 24 as they host East Coweta at 5:55 p.m. in the first game of a varsity doubleheader.  

Edited by staff writer Jenna Sanders