by Steve Bradley
In the first round of Sectional playoffs, the #2 seeded Lady Panthers shut down the #7 seeded Germantown Clippers. Playing at home, the Panthers started scoring five minutes into the game, then scored regularly throughout the rest of the contest. Germantown never got a shot.
With 5 minutes gone in the game, Sydney Luke got the Panther scoring started when she scored on an assist from Liz Ryan. Five minutes later Caytlyn Springer got one past the Germantown goalie to give the Panthers a 2 – 0 lead. Then Liz Ryan got into the act with a goal. With Springer and Ryan taking turns knocking in goals, it was Springer’s turn. With just less than six minutes remaining until the halftime break, Springer obliged, giving the Panthers a 4 – 0 halftime lead.
Ryan Takes Scoring Record
After the break, it was Ryan’s turn again. When Ryan scored with just over seven minutes into the half, she tied Brooke (Niles) Williams record for HFCS career goals of 55. Eleven minutes later, with an assist from her sister Maddy, Liz Ryan scored number 56. With the goal, sophomore Liz Ryan became the HFCS career scoring record holder. With that goal, the Panthers led 6 – 0 and that score remained until the game ended.
The Panthers record is now 16 – 1.
The one loss in that record is from a double overtime game against Greenwich held on the HFCS grass several weeks ago. On Thursday, October 30, the Panthers play #6 seeded Greenwich again on the HFCS grass. The game will begin at 3 pm. Revenge and advancing to the Sectional final will be on the Ladies’ minds. A big crowd cheering for the hometown Lady Panthers would definitely be a plus so come on out and cheer them on.
Should the Ladies get the W, they will advance to the Championship game. The game will be held at Schuylerville High School on the fast artificial turf field. With Schuylerville being the #1 seed in the other bracket, the game may be held on the opponent’s home field. The championship game will be November 2 at 4 pm.