By By BRIAN HAINES, Sports Writer
YEATESVILLE — The Panthers wrapped up their regular season in style as Tayler Woolard netted a hat trick to lead Northside to a 4-1 win over Southside on Wednesday.
Woolard exploded out of the gate as he scored all three of his goals in the first half.
Gabe Cota notched Northside’s fourth goal early in the second half, and Panthers’ coach Billy Bunn said Cota’s emergence has opened up the field for his teammates.
The Panthers’ (8-5) win over the Seahawks greatly improves their playoff odds, and their chance to grab the third seed in the Atlantic/Albemarle Conference.
Wednesday’s game was also the last of the regular season for the Seahawks too. Southside wrapped up its first ever soccer season with a 5-11-1 record, and has a chance at making the playoffs as a wild card entry.
If Southside does not make the postseason, Lohman said he was pleased with the way the Seahawks played in their first year.
Southside’s Michael Ward scored the Seahawks’ lone goal early in the second half to make it a 3-1 game.
Ward connected on a deep shot from the left side of the field, which hit the top, right portion of the net for a goal.
That would be the only shot that got by Panthers’ goalie Cecilio Cota, who came up with several big saves Wednesday night.
After the goal by Ward, Southside looked like it might gain some momentum, but Gabe Cota answered back shortly after with a goal of his own to take it back.
After the game, Bunn said he was proud of the way his team has played this year.