The Union County Panthers managed to edge out the top-seed Putnam County War Eagles 1-0 on April 25 in the Elite Eight.
War Eagles’ keeper Preston Wilson and other defensive players deflected and blocked numerous goal attempts by Union County, but the one ball that slipped by proved to be the deciding factor in the game.
The Panthers’ goalie pitched a clean sheet against a high-scoring Putnam County team, which previously routed Rutland 6-0 in the Sweet 16 round of the AA playoffs on April 20.
Union County’s defensive front did a great job of keeping the War Eagles’ offensive attacks at bay. In their second-round game, the Panthers had previously held the Walker School scoreless as well.
Union County keeper Trent Baker pitched his sixth clean sheet of the season and third of the playoffs. Every shot that Putnam County’s offense took, he saved and it led to their win.
The Panthers scored the only goal of the game in the opening 20 minutes of the first half, pushing the ball up the field in a valiant effort past War Eagles’ goalie Wilson.
Putnam County tried to counter-attack on the ensuing possession but was stopped by a wall of UCHS defenders. The Panthers wouldn’t let the War Eagles inside the box.
Outside of Union County’s lone goal in the first half, Wilson stopped their offense in their tracks. The senior made several stops and kept the War Eagles in the game the entire match.
The two teams traded blows up and down the pitch in the second half, but no headway, either way, was made. The matchup between two of Class AA’s best programs ended in the Panthers’ favor.
Putnam County’s season came to an end, but it was a memorable one. The War Eagles went 15-1-2 overall and 8-0 in Region 4-AA, which crowned them league champions.
Union County (12-4) faced Tattnall County (17-3) in the Final Four last Friday. The Warriors of Reidsville ended the Panthers’ season as they moved on to the state title game.
Stay tuned next week for a season recap, with quotes from head coach Michael Taylor.