Final Regular Season Game preview

The Panthers will travel to Goshen College tonight to take on the Bethany Bruins. The starting time is 6 pm and it is a Varsity only night. The 118 x 75 yard soccer field has a capacity of 1,000 according to goleafs.net with the main stand holding 500 plus seating. The GPS address for Goshen College is 1700 S. Main St., Goshen. The Bruins play their home games this season at the college because their own sports campus is undergoing renovations. The Bruins are 4-8 on the season and 2-2 in the Northern Indiana Soccer Conference. Bethany has been blanked six times thus far. They have scored 16 goals and given up 24. In contrast, the Panthers have scored 36 times and have been scored on 33 times. Common opponents are Mishawaka Marian (Bruins 4-0 L/NW 0-0 D),Northridge (Bruins 2-0 L, NW 4-1 L), Bremen (Bruins 3-0 L, NW 1-0 W), Goshen (Bruins 4-1 L, NW 4-0 L) and ECA (Bruins 1-0 L, NW 1-1 D)so our results have been slightly better. Bus leaves at 5 pm from the Pain Palace.

Thank You

THANK YOU TO RANDY AND KYLE CRIPE FOR ANNOUNCING AND RUNNING THE SCOREBOARD AT ALL HOME GAMES THIS SEASON AND THANK YOU TO OUR CERTIFIED ATHLETIC TRAINER MR. PAUL WIDNER FOR ALL HE DOES FOR THE SOCCER PROGRAM. MR. WIDNER TREATS ALL OUR INJURED PLAYERS, DEVELOPS ALL TREATMENT AND REHAB PLANS, MAKES SURE HIS ASSISTANTS SUPPLY US WITH THE MEDKIT, WATER AND ICE FOR ALL HOME AND AWAY GAMES. MR. WIDENER ALSO TREATS ALL VISITING PLAYERS WHEN INJURED AND DOES SO DURING THE PRE-SEASON AND THE REGULAR AND POST-SEASON.

1-0 & 2-0

1-0

2-0

Thank You to all our Seniors and their parents for all your hard work and dedication!!!!

ALL SENIORS WITH THEIR PARENTS

Senior Night 2021

KALEB EBERLE

AIDEN SCHROCK

MICHAEL HAHN

JOEY ESHELMAN

SO HAPPY WITH HIS PERFORMANCE, THE REFEREE DANCES THE MACARENA IN FRONT OF THE SENIOR NIGHT CROWD

NorthWood-Plymouth 2-0 (1-0)

After a pretty exciting JV game that ends in a 1-1 draw (Cam's great goal ties it up with about 6" left), it is time for the seniors to take the field for their last home game. After the 4-3-3 earlier in the season seems to be less productive then it needed to be, the Panthers have worked on some reorganization defensively while offensively switching to a two prong attack. Defensively, we haven't given up a goal in the last two games while at the same time frustrating our opponents. The hope is that that streak continues tonight at Wellfield Park (the Home of NorthWood soccer after all). The change also has some implication on the ball possession in general. A little less possession, a little more counter attacking danger in return. Plymouth is a solid opponent who just comes off a 1-0 win vs. Northridge. The game starts with some minimal Panther threats but after a few jittery oments, the game settles down a bit. In the 18th minute, NW is awarded a free kick on the left side of the pitch on the Rockies half. Michael Hahn, who has come on strong recently with dangerous free kicks, passes and corners, strikes the ball with authority towards the Plymouth box. Just outside the 6, Solomon Yeagon gets behind the ball and with the smoothest of touches, slots the ball in the near corner for an early NorthWood lead; 1-0. Michael strikes again in the 25th when a perfect pass makes it to Luis who in a very nifty way, gets away from a central Rockies defender and goes at the GK. It look like his shot to the keepers left is perfect but the ball misses just right of the far post. Luis does everything well with the exception of the finish. Plymouth gets numerous chances and some efforts get cleared off the line (Alex saves one in the first half) and in the 32nd, Plymouth #14 breaks thru and goes 1 on 1 with Trent but Trent sticks his leg in the way and keeps the 0 on the guest side of the scoreboard. The half time speech focuses on needing another 40 minute effort. We have now played 3 good halves and want to make that 4 and get a result. The second half starts the way the first one ended. The referee has a second half performance that can be best characterized as consistent.....consistently bad. We end up with four yellow cards and Plymouth with one. Carlos gets one for kicking a ball away where Plymouth did the same in the first half and gets nothing. Those are the performances that frustrate coaches; all we want is consistency! Plymouth threatens the Panthers at times in the second half but defensively we deal with it. Aiden Greenlee has the backline playing in a disciplined fashion and Kaleb and Ethan play their position well. Our wingbacks work hard from box to box. Alex has a motor that won't stop and does not mind making runs up the flank to give us additional offensive options. Luis might have missed a great opportunity in the first half but in the 68th he gets revenge. In a ball in the box situation, Luis heads the ball over the keeper. In the ensuing scramble between a Plymouth defender and GK, Luis and Solomon, Solomon ends up near the ball on the far post and puts the ball over the line for a NW 2-0 lead. It needs mentioned that Joey disturbs many Plymouth attacks in the middle and Dom has a nice game with great distribution and with about 15 or so left in the game, takes on a more defensive role -part of the new system we play- and even though it looks like we might invite more attacks from the opponent, it gives us more counter attacking opportunities as well. The game ends in a 2-0 win for the Panthers on Senior Night and the contribution by our four seniors (Michael, Joey, Kaleb and Aiden Schrock)was fantastic all night long. Our final record in NLC is 3-4. Thanks to our Seniors for all these years of dedicating themselves to NW soccer. We are glad the rest of the team could help out with getting them a win on Senior Night! Thanks to Sarah DeFreitas for getting everything ready for Senior Night. Also thanks to Jeff Iwema for replacing the broken canopy tent (which was also donated to us by Jeff). Thanks to all the fans for showing up all season long and being our 12th man! Now you know where to sit as well so thank you Sarah for posting the new signs ("Home Fans- Panthers" and "Away Seats"). Next up is the Varsity only game at Goshen College versus Bethany Christian tomorrow (Thursday 09/29 at 6 pm). The JV finishes the season at 5-6-2 and was unbeaten in their last 3 games.

Preview NorthWood-Plymouth

Plymouth is 7-4-2 on the season and 3-2 in NLC. The Pilgrims/Rockies are 4-2-2 when it comes to common opponents. We have a 3-5-1 record in that column. plymouth has scored 43 goals in 13 games; an average of 3.3 goals per game. The Panthers have scored 34 times in 13 games which comes to an average of 2.6 goals a game. NW is 2-4 in NLC. The Rockies come off a 1-0 win versus Northridge and the Panthers come off a 0-0 draw versus class 2A #5 Mishawaka Marian. Hopefully tonight's game will live up to its billing.

Tonight's game on Froggy 102.7

You can listen to tonight's game versus Plymouth on the radio at 102.7 FM or on the Froggy App. Please tune in if you are unable to make it to the game at Welffield Park in Nappanee.

Quick Update - Sectional game Monday

The Panthers will play the Garrett Railroaders on Monday October 4th at 5:30 pm on the turf field (football/soccer stadium) at Wawasee High School. Cost is $ 6 per session ticket or $ 10 for a All-Session Ticket. All tickets will be sold at the gate. We are listed as the home team Monday and will wear our black/red stripe jerseys. The GPS address for the school is 401 S. Syracuse-Webster Rd, Syracuse IN.

Classic Story

Last Friday after practice I asked the two players who were still standing outside the fence if they had a ride coming. One of them said his ride was there but left. I asked what happened. The player says "well, I opened the back door and put my bags in the back seat. I closed the door to get in the front but my mom took off". I asked him if he had called his mom to make her aware he was separated from his bags. "not yet" was his response. Since it had been a while I told him that he probably should place hte call. He did. I asked her what she said and the player says "well she said that she started talking to me but got no answer and she looked and noticed I wasn't in the car so she is on the way back to get me" hahahahahahahahahahaha

UPDATE - TODAY'S GAME

Due to bussing issues, Plymouth will arrive later than usual pushing back the JV start to 5:30 PM. At the conclusion of the JV game we will have the Senior Night recognition. The Varsity game will start after that.

Called up to Varsity

Fresh off their Teagarden JV Soccer Showcase win in Ft. Wayne, the following players were called up by Head Coack Kyle Dijkstra to the Varsity Squad for Sectionals;

JACK WALTER

BRYCE KNEPP

WES BELL

MADDOX BROWN

THE QUARTET WITH THEIR NEW VARSITY JERSEYS. CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL FOUR.

Senior Night tomorrow

Our four seniors and their parents will be recognized tomorrow night before the start of the Varsity kick off against Plymouth. Michael Hahn, Kaleb Eberle, Aiden Schrock and the man who seems to have been around for 6 years, Joey Eshelman, are this years' seniors. The slightly modified celebration due to Covid should take place around 6:45 pm on the turf field at Wellfield Park. Froggy 102.7 FM will be present as well as our own announcer Randy Cripe to wrap up the home part of the season. The weather will be great so please come out and support your NW Panthers Boys Soccer Team as they wrap up the regular season and prepare for Sectionals.

Article from the Ink Free News

Today's practice

Practice will be at the turf field from 3:30-5:30. Tomorrow's game is at home vs. Plymouth. JV might start around 5 pm (Plymouth buses leaving late) with the Varsity game to follow. It is Senior Night and the senior recognition will take place before the game.

2021 Sectional Draw

In the IHSAA Boys Class 2A Sectional 20, the Panthers draw Garrett in the first round (and match) of the play offs. Wawasee faces West Noble in round 1 (match 2). The winners of match 1 & 2 play each other in the semi final. The other semi final (schools with a bye) will be between Angola and Lakeland. The first round will be played on Monday October 4th. Match 1 should be at 5 pm, match 2 to follow at the conclusion of match 1. Games will be played on the artificial turf at Wawasee. The first semi final game will be Wednesday October 6th at 5 pm. The final will be on Saturday October 9th with the time to be determined.

JV wins both games in Ft. Wayne tourney

The JV defeats Ft. Wayne Snider 6-2 in the first game with a haul from Andrew Myers, one from Jack Walters and Bryce Knepp each. Abe is the difference in game tow as he scores the lone goal to beat Leo off a set piece from Lanon Weldy (assist). NExt up for the JV : last game of the season at home vs. Plymouth tomorrow night.

#5 Mishawaka Marian - NorthWood 0-0 (0-0)

ANOTHER MARIAN ATTACK THWARTED BY THE NW DEFENSE. The Panthers take the field against a very good, class 2A 5th ranked opponent. It is the second time this season we play Marian and we have something to prove believing that we are better than the team that lost earlier in the season in the NW Invitational (1-4). The formation is different, players will be playing different roles and in this formation we seem a little deeper and not as one dimensional. We do need a good effort which is emphasized by our head coach before the game. The rest will then, hopefully, fall into place. We take the field with everyone well aware of their responsibilities against the best opponent we have faced all season. The Knights have not changed up anything as they play quick long balls to their forwards of which #22 (fast) and #23 (skilled) are the main targets most of the time. Where the Knights in the first game would challenge our defenders and beat them regularly, with NW now using wingbacks, the challenges are there but no longer won each time by the men in blue. Shot after shot fly at Trent. But each one is stopped. Some stops (in the 17th, 19th and 21st) are plain old unbelievable ones and keep us in the game. We combine well (I have not received the game stats from Hudl so a possession % is not yet available) and do so throughout the game. It is one of those games where everyone who steps on the pitch contributes to the common effort. Mishawaka Marian is a very good team with numerous weapons. Once they gain possession defensively, they quickly get the ball to their attackers who try to go around defenders and either shoot or cross the ball between the 6 and 12. Our defensive line is fairly high in the first half making each long ball a sprint for their attackers and our defenders, a fact observed by coach Douwsma at the half. We therefore drop the defensive line a bit so those long balls do not become a race each time and it makes the second half a little easier in terms of the flank battles. Carlos gets ahold of a pass in the box before the half and the Marian GK is out of position but his shot gets deflected. The Knights keep battering our goal but either our defenders, wingbacks or keeper deal with it each and every time. In the 56th, the referee misses a foul committed by Marian and the ensuing attack results in a free kick near the NW box. The NW wall with 5 players sets up and for some unknown reason a Marian player puts himself in an offisde position by standing right in front of Trent. The free kick hits the net but the goal is disallowed because obviously the Marian player is in an off side position while involved in play. In the 61st another free kick is saved by Trent on the near side. Greenlee seems very comfortable in the center role by himself and plays a solid game. Kaleb and Ethan did great in their outside defensive roles. Alex and Grant worked their rear ends off playing as wingbacks and help defend all night long. Joey (as usual) puts in all the dirty work and converts a lot of defensive plays into offensive ones. Dom and Michael control the ball so well in the middle and dish out great passes to our forwards. Our forwards work hard all night long. When Luis, Joel and Schrock come in, they not only give others a breather but they play well. It is an overall team effort and if we put this type of effort into every remaining game, this team's season is not going to end for a while. NOTES- Today's practice is at the turf and will be from 3:30-5. A lactic acid run will be the warm up today -a well deserved one-. The JV loses 6-0 to the Knights' JV. They will be back in action tomorrow inthe Ft. Wayne Bishop Luers JV tournament. Tournament information will be dispersed via Remind. The Varsity contest at John Glenn this coming Monday has been canceled by Glenn. Therefore, senior night this coming Tuesday will be our next -home-game.