It’s make or break time for Women’s Soccer.
With one game remaining, the Panthers need a win against Lynchburg tomorrow to clinch a playoff berth and a chance to continue their legacy season.
The team got to this point after an 0-2-1 record in their last three games.
Against Roanoke senior Bri Bitz opened the scoring in front of a packed house.
“The atmosphere was amazing. It was awesome to see the crowd so excited for us and for her,” Head Coach Erin Saleeby said. “The culture that we have is so good, and it’s been really great to see.”
The Panthers held a 2-1 lead with just under a minute to go when a Roanoke player scored on a corner kick to end the game in a 2-2 tie.
“That was a really difficult game. I honestly didn’t know what to say to them,” Saleeby said. “We worked so hard and didn’t deserve to tie that game. I just told them that we had to move on from this and not let that define our season.”
The next game was on the road at Bridgewater.
The Eagles took a 3-0 first half lead, which hasn’t been a regular occurrence for the Panthers this season.
“We gave them way more respect that they deserved and let them dictate the game,” Saleeby said. “After halftime, we were able to settle down and play, but it was too late.”
The final score ended with a 3-0 loss and next was nationally ranked Washington and Lee.
Panther defenders were on go all night long, but even with Washington and Lee having all the time of possession, the Panthers kept it close with a 1-0 score until late in the second half.
“Obviously, we knew it would be a tough game since they are No. 4 in the country, but we also knew that we could hold them,” Saleeby said. “We did well with that, but they are such a quality side it was difficult to keep them from scoring.”
The Panthers ended up falling 2-0 to the Generals and now are in a position that makes or breaks their post-season hopes.
“We know what we are playing for and that should motivate them to work as hard as they can,” Saleeby said. “We have been talking a lot about not letting anyone outwork you on the field. If we do that we can come out on top.”
This weekend will determine everything for ODAC women’s soccer with four teams competing for the last two spots in the tournament.
A Panther win secures a spot, as does a Shenandoah or Bridgewater loss.
“It would mean so much to get to the conference tournament. We have missed out for a few years, but this team is more than good enough to be there,” Saleeby said. “We have had some things not fall our way, but we are more than good enough to be playing in the conference tournament.”
Women’s Soccer’s biggest game of the season will be at home tomorrow at 3 p.m.
