Soccer Battles to Draw with Charlotte

The Stockbridge soccer team bounced back from a rough start of the season to earn a hard fought 1-1 draw in the home opener Monday night.

The teams went back and forth early but neither could find the net until late in the first half when the Orioles snuck a shot inside the right post for a 1-0 lead.

The Panthers did not hang their heads though and a short time later when Jonah Huskey-Wright hit Jordan Huskey-Wright with a pass down the left side to beat a defender and send him in alone. Jordan then placed the ball past in the goaltender who had come out to try to take down the angle and into the net to tie the game at 1-1.

Stockbridge had another quality chance just before the half when exchange student Bennet Boettjer lofted a direct kick from just inside midfield that the Charlotte goaltender tipped above the cross bar to keep it 1-1 at halftime.

The action continued at a torrid pace in the second half with both teams having quality chances on net.

Gavin Hart was stellar in net for the Panthers making save after save in the second half to keep the game tied at one.

The Panthers host Maple Valley in the GLAC opener Wednesday night at 5:30.