By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
The Panther soccer team had the opportunity to triple its win total in a matter of just five days. Last Thursday, Great Bend defeated Wichita West 3-2 to move to 2-8 on the season. Tuesday night, back at The Cav against Berean Academy, the Panthers surrendered three straight goals to fall to the Warriors 3-1.
Panther junior Alex Alcala created some excitement midway through the first half, first on a big shot that went wide in the ninth minute, then again after he drew the Berean keeper off his line 10 minutes later though the Panthers could not put a shot on frame.
Great Bend continued to attack. Sophomore Dustin Fugitt ripped a shot from the box in 21st minute but the Warrior keeper had the angle provided the block. Four minutes later, senior Ernan Rodriguez followed a defensive takeaway with a long shot to the Berean keeper.
Finally, the Panthers broke through in the 27th minute. Junior Diego Soto sent a goal kick through the middle of the field. The ball made it through to the offensive side with plenty of pace when senior Victor Reyes tracked it down and beat the Warrior keeper for the opening goal with 13:44 remaining in the first half.
Soto provided a big defensive play to keep Berean off the board three minutes later, but just 50 ticks after that, Warrior sophomore Mason Balzer found himself unmarked in the middle of the field and was able to beat Panther keeper Eli Contreras. That 1-1 score lasted through intermission despite a few late chances from Alcala on the Panther offensive end.
The sides had chances early and late in the second half. Berean's two chances came early in the half. Balzer scored after a long run in the 43rd minute for a 2-1 Warrior lead. Balzer then caught Contreras off his line a couple minutes later for his hat trick and the 3-1 finish.
Berean had one final near-goal with a shot off the upright in the final 11 minutes of action. A Warrior rebound would have meant an empty net but Panther junior Landon Hubbard responded with a big defensive stop.
Great Bend's best chances in the second half came in the final eight minutes. Senior Victor Reyes ripped a shot toward the bottom corner of the goal to force a diving save in the 73rd minute. Fifty seconds later, freshman Juan DeLuna forced another big Warrior save. With four minutes to play, sophomore Jackson Young sent a bending shot toward goal but the Berean keeper was up to the task.
The Panthers fall to 2-9 on the season and play host to Garden City at The Cav on Thursday.