Panthers erupt for first win of the season with three-goal first half
The breakthrough finally came, and it came in bunches.
By Thomas Becker
The breakthrough finally came, and it came in bunches.
After grinding through the first month of the AUS schedule, the UPEI Panthers erupted for three first-half goals and secured their first win of the season, an emphatic 3-0 decision over the Mount Allison Mounties on Friday night.
The tone was set in the 13th minute. Mount Allison's back line failed to fully clear a bouncing ball at the top of the area, and it fell kindly to Sophie Gallant in space. The rookie took two touches to settle and stride into range before lashing a right-footed strike from 22 yards that beat the outstretched arms of goalkeeper Isabel Tanfara.
Five minutes later, the Panthers doubled their lead from a well-worked corner. The pass redirected toward the edge of the six by a header from Lydia Hamill, and Mia Martell was perfectly placed to nod it home from close range to make it 2-0 in the 18th minute.
UPEI's third goal arrived just before the break and looked strikingly similar to the opener. Another Mounties clearance died at the top of the box in the 44th minute, and Juliette Bader stepped onto it with confidence, curling a shot from 22 yards beyond Tanfara's reach. The strike gave the Panthers a commanding 3-0 halftime cushion and allowed them to manage the match with poise the rest of the way.
From there, the back line slammed the door. When called upon, goalkeeper Claudia Mazzei was solid in net, recording three saves to collect the clean sheet.
The Panthers are back in action at home on Sunday at 1 p.m., when they welcome the UNB Reds.
Photo Credit: Janessa Vanden Broek
