Pink Panthers doing well in WSSL action

Pink Panthers doing well in WSSL action

Oct 20, 2001

STAFF REPORT

The Tri-City Soccer Association’s Pink Panthers, U-16, have been staying busy competing in out-of-town tournaments lately.

They participated in the Grand Mesa Fire Classic in Grand Junction recently. They lost to Colorado Rush U-16 #2 1-0. The Colorado Rush is the largest soccer club in the state with more than 5,000 kids.

The Pinks beat Durango U-17 Girls 2-0 in what coach Marc Meyer said speaks of good things to come when many of his players will be competing at the high school level this spring.

After winning that game, they lost a heartbreaker to U-16 Littleton Select no. 1 by a 3-2 score in overtime off a penalty kick.

"The positive note was the panthers came back from a 2-0 start in the first 10 minutes to tie the game to get to overtime. This was the most physical soccer game I have ever watched. This was a very good showing for the ladies. They played very well," Meyer commented.

The Panthers resumed Western Slope State League play this past weekend.

They beat Grand Mesa Fire U-16 by a score of 5-0 here at Parque de Vida in Cortez. Goals scored by Katie Meyer on a bending corner kick. Liz Powell, Sara Cullington, Gina Franchini on outside the box goals to the upper corners of the net, and Maddy Stephens again in front of the goal on a pretty dink pass from Amanda Graffis. This game was 0-0 at the half. Wind was a definite factor.

They beat the second place WSSL team Basalt, 4-1 in Montrose, on Sunday, Oct. 14. Goals were scored by Meyer on a penalty kick after Graffis had been taken down in the box on a breakaway; by Graffis on a breakaway from a long punt by Randa Olson; Stephens on a crossing pass from Graffis, and Stephens again if front of the box.

"The defense have been equally good allowing only four goals in seven WSSL games while we have scored 33," coach Meyer reported. "Amy Johnson, Olson, Savanah Tanner, Esther Harclerode, Jessie Love-Nichols and Brin Andrews have been very solid."

The Panthers are currently 6-0-1 in WSSL action with three games remaining in the season. The Pinks Panthers play against Grand Mesa Fire Blue in Grand Junction today, Oct. 20. They play Basalt again Oct. 27 in Montrose and close out the season with Montrose here in Cortez on Nov. 3.

Since they began out of town , tournament and competitive play in the fall of 1998 and now into the fall season of 2001, the Pink Panthers have a combined record of 91-31-17. As a U-14 and now U-16 team in the Western Slope State League, they are 20-1-3.