Panthers Earn Historic Win

By Central Florida Panthers SC

The Panthers started off very shaky with several turnovers, providing the majority of possession to Storm FC.  But they were able to settle after the first 15 minutes creating some opportunities. The deadlock was broken in the 25th minute when forward William Eyang’s free kick from 24 yards playing crossbar challenge reflecting to the penalty spot where Shaoschi Etienne would slot it home.

In the 29th minute, Alessandro Mazzetta was able to take the ball away from a Storm defender and get past two players before sending the ball to Eyang, who was able to fake his initial shot forcing the keeper the wrong way and slotting into the opposite corner.

Immediately following the goal, the Panthers created another opportunity when they intercepted the ball, creating a 3v1 situation but the attempt went wide. On the following possession, Shaoschi would get a hockey assist, sending the ball to the flank where Asyed Sanchez would cross into the box where Eyang cleanly finished extending the Panthers lead to 3-0. Following the third goal, Storm FC made some lineup changes that would prove beneficial to them as substitute Korey Dyer-Stewart would immediately finish off of a cross into the box, bringing the scoreline to 3-1 in the 44th minute.

As the second half got started, the Storm would take control of the possession battle as the Panthers would sit back to protect the lead. In the 60th minute Storm FC were able to cut the lead to 3-2 after forward Geobel Oquendo made a near post run, finishing a cross by Livan Del Rio. In the 68th minute the Panthers earned a free kick near the corner flag. Midfielder Ryan Sandidge floated a cross to a climbing Niall Coulthard, who headed home the ball beating the keeper to bring the scoreline to 4-2. In the 82nd minute the Panthers thought it was 5-2 after Niall scored a second goal but it was deemed offside.

After the game, coach Anton Faith commented on the performance.

“The players battled tremendously tonight and I am very proud of their effort,” Faith said. “In what is a very busy week we could see some tired legs out there and this definitely affected our passing game. Saying that though, the lads have been working very hard in training and that work really showed in tonight’s victory in front of our supporters.”

The Panthers play their third game in a week when Saturday they travel to Jacksonville to play Jacksonville Armada U23. Kickoff is at 7:00 pm at Patton Park (2850 Patton Park, Jacksonville, FL 32246) Admission is free for all.

Photo Credit: Mark Sims Photography