Joe Pacheco (13) of Fairbanks battles a Mifflin opponent for the ball Monday evening. The Panthers rallied for a 3-2 victory. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)
A pair of second-half goals propelled Fairbanks’ boys varsity soccer team to a 3-2 victory over Mifflin on Monday.
The Panthers trailed the Cowpunchers, 2-1, at halftime.
Second-half scores by Josh Underhill and Eli Feller pushed the Panthers to the triumph.
Mifflin scored the match’s first goal nearly five minutes into the contest.
FHS had several scoring opportunities during the initial 20 minutes of the battle.
The Panthers, however, couldn’t capitalize on those attempts.
Another Mifflin score at the 13:51 mark of the opening half gave the Cowpunchers a 2-0 advantage.
Cade Ziegler put Fairbanks on the scoreboard with 11:42 left until the intermission.
He scored after a corner kick to reduce FHS’ deficit to 2-1.
Josh Underhill booted a free kick for a score to notch the game at 2-all.
Dylan Tobe set up Feller for the game-winning goal.
Tobe beat four defenders as he moved toward the net.
Tobe laid the ball off to Feller for the score.
Nate Russell spelled Eli Thrush in the net for the Panthers.
Russell posted 45 shutout minutes to help secure the win.
The Panthers (3-1) will play at London on Wednesday.