Panthers open soccer playoffs with Surry

On hand to scout the first-round playoff matchup between Surry Central and North Henderson Wednesday night, Hibriten soccer coach Shea Bridges got an influx of text messages from his athletes. They all wanted to know two things: “Who are we playing?” and “What are they like?”

At precisely that moment, Bridges knew that his team wasn't about to take anyone lightly.

“I thought that was a good sign,” he said. “This team is serious.”

Tonight, the Panthers (12-10-1) will put that focus on display for the first time this playoff season. After a first-round bye, Hibriten, the top 2-A seed out of the CVAC, hosts Surry Central at 6 p.m in Lenoir.

It was the team's final regular season contest, however, against Hickory (a 1-0 loss) that really put everyone into the playoff frame of mind and made Bridges take notice. He looked around the huddle and saw players that weren't merely content to hang with a 3-A power, but instead genuinely disappointed with a 1-0 loss.

“Those girls expected to be in that game, and they expected to win it,” Bridges said. “I saw it in their eyes, and that's how I want them to be.”

The Panthers will need all the intensity they can muster, especially since they will be without three key players in their playoff opener. Keeper Tessa Hart, defender Codi Burdette and forward Emily Carter will miss the game with ailments. Victoria Hedrick takes over in the net, while Lauren Crouse, Megan Barrett and Miranda McCrary will shift around to fill the other spots. Bridges isn't worried, though.

“We've battled through injuries all year, and I think these girls are ready for it,” he says. “We're not throwing anyone into a new position. This is all stuff they've done before.”

Bridges also insists that the abundance of young players that comprise his team won't be an issue, because of the wealth of experience they have to draw on from this year.

“These freshmen are no longer freshmen in my eyes,” he says. “They are sophomores now. They have year's worth of experience under their belts, and they are getting better and better as the days go by.”

The Panthers will have to find a way to stifle Surry Central's top player, midfielder Angelica Gonzalez.

“It all runs through her,” Bridges says. “She pretty much dominated that (first round) game... They'll put it in to her, and she'll feed their wings. They just play good, fundamental soccer.”

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