Saucon sophomore Megan Kane (#3) getting some love from her teammates after scoring her third goal against the Northampton Konkrete Kids.
The Saucon Valley Panthers sprung into regular season action at Monday’s home opener against the Northampton Konkrete Kids. The two-time reigning District XI champion Panthers immediately jumped the Kids from the start and continued to build an 11-0 first half lead. The second half wasn’t much better for the Kids. The Panthers kept up their offensive and defensive pressure and cruised along for eight additional goals. Saucon Valley defeated Northampton 19-0.
Panther senior goalie Audrey Holland and the Panther defense played lights-out for the shut-out against Northampton.
The Saucon Valley offense, for the most part, was their defense. They dominated possession time and were quick to recover the majority of the 50-50 balls. When the Kids were able to gain possession and attack into the Panther zone, the Saucon defense was suffocating. When Northampton was able to get a quality chance to score, Panther senior goalie Audrey Holland was there to wall it away. Holland had five first-half saves.
Battle-Kat Naiburg bringing the Panther pressure.
The Panthers pounced on the Kids early and often. Saucon’s first goal came on their first possession only :25 seconds into the game. Senior Siobhan Coakley capitalized on a combination of quick passes from Maria Donahue and Cam Zavacky to light the scoreboard. Senior Katherine ‘Battle-Kat’ Naiburg followed Coakley’s score with one of her own only a minute later.
Maria Donahue creating space and hitting on one of her four goals.
Donahue lit the lamp for the next two Panther goals. Her first was off a free-start from the arc that she buried into the back of the net. The second goal looked to be off a set play where Megan Kane circled behind the Northampton goal with the ball and passed out to Katie Marker who found space on the wing. Marker found her mark when she quickly laced a pass to a cutting Donahue who one-timed her shot into the back of the Kids’ goal. Six minutes into the game the Panther rout was on.
Katie Marker goes ‘sidewinder’ against the Konkrete Kid goalie.
Camryn Zavacky added four more first half goals to lead the Panthers into the halftime break. The final goal of the half was sweet. Katie Marker set a screen on the wing allowing Zavacky to shake free from her defender and cut through the arc. Zavacky attacked across the face of the goal and pulled the trigger on a back-hand scoop shot that beat the goalie for the score. Zavacky’s fourth goal of the opening half made the score 11-0 as the teams took their break.
Cam Zavacky on the attack.
The second half was more of the same with Saucon scoring eight more times. The Panthers looked sharp. Offensively, they were very patient and connected consistently with precision passes while not forcing their shots. The Saucon defense was equally impressive and immediately looked to outlet after stops. The Panthers quickly got the ball going the other way often beating Northampton in transition.
The Panther defense along with goalies Audrey Holland and Annie Rothacker preserved the Panther opening day shut-out.
Panther Net-Flicks: Junior Cam Zavacky paced the Panthers with five goals while sophomore Maria Donahue added four. Sophomores Megan Kane and Katie Marker were each good for three scores.
Saucon Valley’s Cam Zavacky taking the draw.
Up Next: The Panthers travel to Pennridge on Wednesday night for a 7 p.m. clash with the Rams.
Good luck Panthers, the Source is with you!
