On Saturday, Sept. 28 the Saucon Valley Panther girls soccer team (5-3 heading into the game) traveled to Salisbury to take on the Falcons, who were 8-1 prior to the game.
The Panthers fought the Falcons hard during the first half of the game. At the 17 minute mark, senior #29 Kiera Sager orchestrated a beautiful pass to senior #35 Caroline Gilbert. Gilbert took a hard shot which sailed just outside the top right of the goal. The Falcons fought back with a hard shot at 10:30, but were denied by Panther goalie, junior Jackie Barbera. The first half concluded in a draw, 0-0.
Kiera Sager
The winds picked up at Salisbury to start the second half, as did the Falcons’ offense. Right around the 37 minute mark, the Falcons’ #18 sent the ball sailing from the 15 into the top left of the goal. And just five minutes later there was a repeat performance of the play from about the same spot on the field, with the result that the Falcons took a surprising 2-0 lead. And it didn’t end there. The Falcons were able to get one by the Panthers again with 27 minutes go.
The Panthers didn’t give up. #35 Gilbert scored with 10 minutes to go in the game. The Falcon defense held the Panthers for the remainder of the game, and they dealt Saucon Valley a 3-1 defeat.
“It was a tough game with some small errors that we eventually corrected, but I’m proud of the team for not giving up and working together to get a goal,” said Caroline Gilbert.
The Panthers have put the loss behind them and moved on to play the Pen Argyl Green Nights at home on Tuesday, Oct. 1.
Game summary by Peter Albano. Photos by Chris Christian. To see more, please scroll down or visit his website, where you can purchase these and other Saucon sports photos.
