MONTICELLO – The Monticello Panthers Girls soccer team hosted the Washingtonville Wizards Monday afternoon under conditions that weren’t ideal. The combination of the difficult weather and a very talented and committed visiting team, led to the Panthers being shut out 7–0.

Before the game, the Panthers’ team and community honored their two seniors: Lisa Collins and Anna Murillo, for their hard work and dedication throughout the season. With a young team this year, the Panthers are anticipate next season when the squad will be older and more experienced.

Washingtonville started the game aggressively scoring their first goal within the first ninety seconds. The first half was dominated by the visiting team. Although movement was slow and tentative, due to the cold and the wet conditions, the Panthers struggled to keep up with the Wizards’ pace. Of the 4 goals Washingtonville scored in the first half, 2 of them were off of rebounds, from an initial save that was swiftly knocked back into the net by an open player from the opposing team.

The second half started much differently. The Panthers adjusted and pressured the ball forcing Washingtonville to make errant passes creating turnovers. Monticello started getting quality shots on net including one that soared just over the cross bar.

The Wizards made some adjustments of their own using more side to side passing and that did the trick to break the Panthers’ pressure and the Wizards scored 3 additional goals. 

For Washingtonville Jemimah Jolyfills and Lea Digiovanni scored two goals and Maggie Ohm, Dree Murray and Alexis Wright had 1 goal apiece. 

Monticello head coach, Lindsey Rau, pointed out that, “We’ve improved quite a bit throughout the season. Washingtonville is a tougher team than we’ve faced. But our passing has improved greatly and we’re bringing more pressure in the opponent’s zone.”