Ko Panyi is a tiny island in southern Thailand. At the end of the 18th century, nomadic Javanese fishermen decided to build an offshore fishing village there on stilts as Thai law at the time limited land ownership solely to people of Thai national origin. In 1986, a group of kids decided to add a football pitch to the offshore village, giving birth to Panyee FC. The club later went on to become one of the most successful youth soccer clubs in Southern Thailand (If you have 5 minutes to spare and don’t mind watching videos with subtitles, here is the link to their story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=jU4oA3kkAWU).

So how is that at all relevant to the JV girls soccer team as they hit the road to take on a very tough 9-2-1 College Park team on Tuesday? Really not at all, other than the fact that there was a heavy downpour throughout the game, so the pitch probably felt like it was floating, and the girls proved they love the sport as much as those kids do as they battled despite the tough conditions.

Despite the valiant effort, the team ultimately lost 2-0. Early in the game, the Falcons offense dominated possession and really tested the Dons defense of Helena McGinley, Michaela Barbano, Ella Culbertson, Kate Weiss, Cassidy Smith, goalie Sophie Gold, and others. Despite their best efforts and overcoming a bit of bad luck such as a clear from Sophie that bounced off of Ella, the Falcons managed to score about 10 minutes into the game on a shot off an empty net where Sophie was pulled out of the goal, and another goal on a breakaway that could have been called offsides. The game was very physical, including one play where Ella was brought down from behind in what looked like a play more common in American Football.

After the slow start, the Dons offense really came alive, having many opportunities to score that they were unfortunately unable to convert. Dani Green had multiple shots over the course of the game that nearly scored, including shots early in the game and just before halftime, a nice give and go with Grace Eppinger that would have counted for 3 points in American Football as it went through the field goal uprights, and a breakaway with 7 minutes left in the game where the Falcons goalie made a great play. Grace Eppinger also had a shot that missed just wide, and had another where she collided with the goalie off a good cross from Julia Munter. Caroline Tumility also had a few shots on goal, including one that banged off the field goal crossbar and another that went just wide of the goal. Elodie Jensen also had a great shot from distance that the goalie managed to stop.

I know fans don’t typically receive MVP awards, but if they did, it would go to Bryan and Tammy Houston (aka Danny’s parents) for bringing a tent for us to hide under. If it weren’t for the tent, I would have seriously considered watching the game from my car since there is a pretty good view of the field from the parking lot. However, to avoid being called a fair weather fan or prima-donna high school sports writer, I probably would have toughed it out anyway. I also wanted to give a shout out to team photographer Danny Polkinghorn (aka Lillian’s dad) who braved the elements to take some great pictures.

“Get to know Coach”: Alex’s birthday is on Friday (1/19). Happy Birthday coach!

Please come cheer on the team as they return home to take on Alhambra on Tuesday (1/23) at 5pm