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Panthers Win Invitational In Shootout

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By NICHOLAS J.E. MURRAY The Tampa Tribune

The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 9, 2008

TAMPA - After Plant defeated King to open the Lady Wildcat Invitational last Monday, forward Ellen Moore said she was hoping the Panthers would end up playing Newsome in the tournament's final.

Moore got her wish, and scored one of the Panthers' two penalty kicks as Plant defeated the Wolves 2-1 in a shootout after the two teams had played to a 0-0 tie in regulation on Saturday afternoon at Wharton High.

Plant goalkeeper Courtney Zwetsch clinched the victory for Plant when she saved Ashley Evers' shot in the fifth round of the shootout. Amy Werdine scored in the third round to add to Moore's opening goal, as Sam Simpson was the only Newsome player to find the net.

"It was really exciting," Moore said. "They're a really good team, so it was fun to prove ourselves."

The game itself saw few clear-cut chances, but the first came to Moore midway through the first half. Linzy Rakestraw slid a pass through the Wolves' defense that found Moore, but Newsome goalkeeper Kendall Graham was able to smother Moore's shot.

Moore also had an opportunity when Connor Zwetsch had her shot blocked by Graham after a looped ball over the top of the Newsome defense, but she hurried her chance and shot high and wide.

"When I got the ball out there, I didn't realize how much time I had, so I just kinda ripped it," Moore said.
Newsome had its chances too. Sarah Aggers shot wide when she intercepted a pass from goalkeeper Lauren Bodden and Karina Gutsche headed over from eight yards away off a free kick by Ana Cate.
Newsome had won its first two shootouts during the week, advancing to the final after beating Sickles and Alonso. On Saturday, though, Cate and Aggers missed the target, and Kayli Kishel also had her shot saved. Cate said the team wasn't concerned with their lack of scoring over the course of the week; the Wolves only found the net once over the three games.

"We have two brand new forwards out there that we haven't had the last three years," Cate said. "We had the opportunities, we've been there, we've had the open shots, they're making the right runs, they're just not putting them away, and that's just something that comes with practice."

Moore said she thinks the way the Panthers played over the week has boosted their confidence.

"It just proves we can work together,' Moore said. "Up top, Connor and I played really well together."

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