Champs outpace Panthers

Sentinel photo/Jared Putnam Nate Prentice moves the ball up the field toward Ian Thomas.

The Panthers soccer season came to an end Friday, as Pace Academy handed Union County a 4-1 loss. The defeat could hardly be considered anything to be ashamed of, as this was the same Pace Academy that became AA State champions last year by defeating GAC 4-1.

The Panthers matchup looked promising at first, as the team got off to a good start. "We came out hot for the first time in a long time," Panthers Head Coach Chris Robbins said.

Union scored after a corner kick taken by Russel Thompson was knocked in by Michael Myrick.

"We went up on them 1-0 really quick," the coach said. "I think they might have had a little slap in the face and woke them up because then they put in a racehorse out there. He was impressive; big, physical, solid."

That player ended up scoring three of Pace's four goals

"They're a good team. They outplayed us," Coach Robbins said. "It was a fun year. We're disappointed of course, but at the same time, we understand that we got beat by a better team."

The team loses several seniors this year, including five regular starters, according to Coach Robbins. While those losses will hurt, more talent is on the horizon. "There's some good young kids coming up in the next year," Coach Robbins said.