Headed to state
Panthers will face Pace in round one
By JARED PUTNAM Union Sentinel Editor

Russel Thompson battles for the ball during the Panthers final regular season game.

The Panthers will get to taste postseason play next week, as they square off against Pace Academy in the first round of the state tournament. Union County made it in as a number four seed

"They're good. They really good," Panthers Head Coach Chris Robbins said of Pace Academy. "They actually upset Walker, which is the number two team in the state."

The game is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. next Friday, April 27, giving Coach Robbins nine days to not only prepare, but to get the team as healthy as possible.

"For the season the team scored 41 goals and allowed 21 goals, finishing with a regular season record of 12-4-2, including an emotional win in their final game against Hebron, a game they had to win.

Coach Robbins said that while the team is excited to be moving on, they are somewhat disappointed knowing that they could have, and perhaps, should have, had a higher seed.

"I think they are just kind of kicking themselves because they now know what they have given up. This region has just been totally [anyone's to win,]" Coach Robbins said, explaining that there has been a great deal of parity in the region this season.

Still, the coach is optimistic about the Panthers chances in the tournament.

"I know we are drawing a good team, but we are a good team," Coach Robbins said. He pointed out that injuries have been a major factor this year. "The only game we played with even 98 percent of our players was Hebron," Coach Robbins said. He hopes to have all but one player available for next week's game.

"I think the key is going to be that I'm going to have to keep practice light," the coach said, "but interesting and effective at the same time, so that they are learning something. We had a really good practice yesterday. I'm trying to make it as enjoyable as possible right now."