Samantha Adkins of Fairbanks (left) takes the ball away from a West Jefferson opponent during a Division III tournament match Tuesday afternoon. The Lady Panthers won, 3-0. For more photos, go to marysvillejt.com.
(Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)
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The Fairbanks Lady Panthers had already claimed a 4-1 victory over West Jefferson earlier this fall during the regular soccer season.
With that in mind, there wasn’t anything that would make them think they couldn’t beat the Roughriders again during the post-season.
They were correct.
FHS climbed above the .500 mark Tuesday afternoon when it ended West Jeff’s season with a 3-0 verdict in a Division III tournament match.
The Lady Panthers (8-7-1) went into the contest as the No. 5 seed, while West Jefferson (7-9) was seeded No. 11.
Fairbanks kept the ball on West Jeff’s side of the field for much of the first half.
The Lady Panthers notched their first goal nearly nine minutes into the contest.
Claire Ruff sent the ball through the Rider defense to Samantha Adkins.
A shot by Adkins found the mark past West Jefferson keeper Hailey Kurtz for the initial score.
FHS kept the pressure on Kurtz over the next several minutes with a handful of shot opportunities.
Fairbanks was credited with its second goal at the 26:43 mark of the opening half.
Emma Cook sent a corner kick toward the net.
The ball went off a Rider defender near the post and into the net for the goal.
Cook tallied Fairbanks’ final goal of the day as the home team dominated ball possession and field position.
Adkins and Ruff each had an assist.
A peek at the keeper stats tells a big tale of the contest.
The Lady Panthers bombarded Kurtz, who finished the match with 16 saves.
On the other hand, FHS keeper Macy Wanamaker wasn’t very busy as she turned away just two shots on goal.
The Lady Panthers will return to post-season action on Thursday by traveling to third-seeded Columbus Wellington.
Game time is set for 7 p.m.