Hanover, IN - Today, the Panthers hosted the Ravens of Anderson University in the conference quater-finals round of the HCAC playoffs.
The match got off to a very back and forth start as both teams struggled to gain definitive possession of the ball. There was lots of back-and-forth action near the midfield, and both sides seemed to be putting just a bit too much on their passes, leading to several changes in possession.
Hanover was able to string together some quality attack through the first half, putting up 12 total shots, 8 of which fell on frame. However, the Ravens junior goalkeeper Adrienne Weyers didn't allow a single goal and tallied 8 saves in the first half of play. The Panthers junior goalkeeper
Emma Patterson didn't see much action in the first, but the 2 shots she did face, she also saved.
The first half of play went on to end in a standstill at zero-zero.
As the second half of play got underway both sides seemed to be playing even harder than before, and right away, as they knew it was win or go home. About six-minutes went by before the Panthers were able to find their first goal of the contest as the ball just kind of rolled right at the feet of sophomore midfielder
Cam Horsley and she only needed one touch to put it low and away, past the keeper. The score was now 1-0, Hanover, with thirty-nine minutes left in regulation.
Seven-minutes later, the Ravens would capitalize on an attacking run of their own as Emily Metzger found teammate Lillie Casey for Anderson's first goal/assist combo of the day.
The following fifteen-minutes of action were high-intensity and full of emotion. Both sidelines had coaches and reserves standing in utter suspense as the ball continuously switched fields. The Panthers were still able to control time of possession for the most part, but the Ravens defensive unit wasn't giving them anything easy.
HC, on an unsettled clearing attempt, was able to break the tie at the seventy-two minute mark when senior forward
Beth Cook went full "beef"-mode and made a spectacular solo push, winning possession of the ball just outside the Ravens box, and beat the keeper 1-on-1. Hanover was now up 2-1 thanks to Cook's hustle, with just under eighteen-minutes left to go.
Time would eventually expire, the score still 2-1, and the Hanover College Panthers have now advanced to the semi-finals of the HCAC playoffs. The Panthers will look to take on the Lions of Mt St Joeseph University on the road in Cincinnati, OH. Time is still TBD - stay tuned to the Hanover College Athletics social media pages and website for updates!
