Cougars Soccer can't hold off the Portledge Panthers

Martin Luther School Cougars soccer team fought hard in their matchup against the Portledge Panthers but fell by the final score of 4-3.

Portledge struck first in the contest, putting a goal through in the fifth minute on a breakdown in the Cougar defense. The team looked as though they were caught off guard early but coach Matt Moran kept faith.

“They needed to keep composure and settle down, which they did,” said Coach Moran.

The team responded well, putting together aggressive attacks with their forward and midfield play on the offensive end of the field. The aggressiveness paid off as the Cougars were able to draw a hand-ball penalty in the box against Portledge.

Senior Alex Ortiz was able to capitalize on the penalty shot and evened the score, 1-1 in the 23^rd minute.

Junior Franco Libano played the role of the orchestrator as well as the attacker late in the first half as well. He had a nice cross, which was nearly put in as well as a strike that just sailed over the top of the net.

The first half could be summed up as having inconsistent play and missed opportunities from both the Cougars and the Panthers.

Coach Moran made changes at halftime, which gave the team the extra spark they needed after the break. Freshman Tyler Fayconsolo was moved from defense to forward as well as Libano being moved to midfield.

Martin Luther came out with loads of energy, scoring early in the second half. Fayconsolo got behind the defense on a nice run into the box and simply flicked the ball over Portledge’s goalkeeper in the 42^nd minute.

Portledge responded with three consecutive goals within a span of 18 minutes in the second half, which left the Cougars trailing, 2-4.

With just eight minutes to go in the match, Freshman Andres Buitrago was able to bring the Cougars to within one goal off a nice pass to the middle of the box.

Martin Luther fought hard but time proved to be against them late in this game.

“We fought, and fought, and fought, and that’s all I can ask of them,” said Coach Moran.

Despite the score, Cougars' sophomore goalkeeper Jose Cabrera had multiple impressive saves in the contest.

Their next game will be a home match at the Metropolitan Oval on Friday, September 27 at 4 pm.

By: Frank Stampfl