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Panthers fall to Forbush
By Adam Zuerndorfer, Sports writer'A highly-touted Forbush squad topped Hibriten 2-0 in the third round of the North Carolina 2-A soccer playoffs Wednesday in Lenoir, ending the Panthers' postseason run. Hibriten finished with a 13-11-1 record. “I'm proud of the girls,” Hibriten coach Shea Bridges said. “They gave it their all. Sometimes you just run up against a really good, well-coached team. Forbush deserved the match tonight.” The Falcons (20-3) established their dominance from the start, scoring 14 minutes in on Lindsay Lineberry's left-footer and controlling possession for much of the first half. Forbush's Katelynd Caudle added an insurance goal as the half drew to a close, putting what Bridges described as “a pop fly” in from an impressive distance. “Shooting often, even from long distance, was part of our game plan,” Forbush coach Kenan James said. “That one was just a great shot.” Forbush outshot Hibriten 28-4 in the contest, and held an 8-1 advantage on corner kicks. The Panthers held their ground in the second half, but just couldn't find a way to get the ball into the back of the net. “It's sad to end the season, especially losing our only senior (Biz Franzen),” Panther midfielder Holli Schwartz said. “But I think we played pretty good tonight, considering how good (Forbush) is.” If any team can take consolation in a season-ending loss, it is this version of the Panthers. With only the one player lost to graduation, Hibriten will most assuredly field strong squads for the next two seasons. “Your future is bright when you can take nine or ten freshman and sophomores and go all the way to the third round,” Bridges said. “If we work hard in the offseason, I think you'll be seeing us go even further next year.” Panther defender Emily Carter agreed. “Pretty much the whole team is going to be staying,” she said. “Next year is going to be a good year.” The Forbush team that eliminated Hibriten is actually a potential model for what the Panthers might become. Considered a young team two years ago, the Falcons grew together and matured to the point where they became one of the top-ranked teams in the state this season. Bridges admitted after the game that he saw a little bit of his own team in the opposition. At least he hoped so. “We're just going to come back and reload next year,” he said. “These girls are going to be ready, and I can't wait. We're going to be the ones people are gunning for next year.” With Franzen headed for the mountains of Appalachian State upon graduation, Bridges said she will be missed. “She was like an assistant coach on the field for us,” he said. “Come out to watch our matches and you'd hear one squeaky little voice out there, and that's Biz. She's a phenomenal person and I hate to lose her.”
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