Sports
Boys Soccer: Season-Opener Serves as Step in the Right Direction for Young Panthers
Pikesville opens its season with a 2-2 tie against Beth Tfiloh.
Although the Panthers’ season-opening game against didn’t produce a win, boys soccer coach Mark Lavallee said the team's performance was a step in the right direction.
The game finished as a 2-2 tie.
“The kids really played well,” Lavallee said of his team. “We were able to compete, and compete well. We’re a young team, so each game is going to be a learning process.”
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On Friday, the Panthers actually led 2-1 with less than 10 minutes left in the game, but were unable to hold onto the advantage. Beth Tfiloh’s Iti Rodban scored to tie the game with just six minutes remaining.
Neither team was able to score in overtime.
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Dylan Beker and Josh Borris each scored for Pikesville.
Beker’s goal put the Panthers in front, 1-0, with just two minutes left in the first half.
Ben Lipowitz scored for Beth Tfiloh early in the second half to tie the score at 1, drilling a free-kick from 35 yards out, before Borris gave Pikesville a 2-1 advantage just five minutes later.
“It was a game of swings,” Lavallee said. “If you let down even a little bit, though, the other team will take advantage, and that’s exactly what happened to us.”
Lavallee was happy with the Panthers' offense, though. He said his team had struggled to consistently generate offense during its three scrimmages leading up to the season, but the two goals Friday were an encouraging sign.
"That was very encouraging, especially with the way we played in the scrimmages," Lavallee said. "This was a positive sign and we’re going to keep getting better and better.
He was also pleased with the Panthers' defensive effort. Pikesville's defense, led by senior Tete Obot and junior Robert Monfred, limited Beth Tfiloh to just four shots on goal.
The Panthers' next game is Thursday against .
Lavallee said that between now and then Pikesville will look to erase some of the mental mistakes that plagued them Friday and allowed Beth Tfiloh to earn goals.
And Pikesville will continue improving its chemistry and communication.
"We’re just going to keep building,” Lavallee said. "The main thing for us is just continuity, just to keep pushing."