DANIELLE PARHIZKARAN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER: The Panthers gather to celebrate a goal by Camille Juliana, center.
“It’s a key factor,” Ozrek said. “You kick the ball and it can go so many ways. You try to play the way you always play, but it’s hard.”
Eastern Christian coach Laura Royle knew the same heading into the showdown.
“This is grass,” Royle said. “There are a lot of bumps. Our girls are used to it and try to use it as our advantage.”
The field nearly played a difference in the outcome, but it was the Panthers (16-1-1) who prevailed again, taking a 3-2 decision. It didn’t resemble the first meeting Sept. 23, when the Panthers dominated in a 5-1 win.
“We were dead that day,” Royle said. “Our team had just played back-to-back games in less than 24 hours. So this time we had a slightly different strategy. We went for it.”
To continue reading this story:
