Last Thursday, the Whitewater Wildcats traveled to Starr’s Mill in a crosstown rival game with two teams of nearly identical records. After a slow beginning, the Panthers dominated the Wildcats, 18-7.
“It was a fun game and going into it, it was just we were all nervous seeing how it was going to happen,” junior Tanner Via said. “It came out a lot better than I thought. I was just really excited for the boys.”
The Panthers struggled with momentum in the first quarter, ending the quarter with the Wildcats leading, 4-3. The teams stayed evenly matched throughout the second quarter with the Panthers having a 7-6 lead at halftime.
The Panthers quickly pulled ahead after the break, holding the Wildcats to one goal throughout the second half.
After senior Henry Pettit suffered an injury, Starr’s Mill rallied. Via set a new school record with nine goals in the game as the Panthers won 18-7.
“Our teammate had got injured and we all knew that we have to nail these guys in the ground right now,” senior Lucas Strunk said.
Strunk and Via displayed consistent teamwork on the field, a big piece to the Panthers win.
The Panthers lost to South Forsyth on March 15 but rebounded last night in a 9-7 win over Pace Academy.