The Milton Varsity Girls Soccer Team defeated Pine Forest at home 3-1. The Panther’s Jenna Wade scored all 3 goals for Milton with assists coming from Sabrina Bonilla for 2 of the goals. Goalkeepers Randi Bass had 3 saves for Milton and Reagan Melvin had 1 save.
The Panthers have a current season record of 4-7 with impressive wins against Walton 9-0, Crestview 4-3, and Pine Forest 3-2. “This is arguably the most skilled team I have ever had,” stated Coach Jeff Klug. The Lady Panthers have had some early season misfortune with key players suffering injuries.
Against last season’s regional finalist Niceville High School, the Panthers stepped up their own level of performance and shattered Niceville 2-0.
Klug continued, “Although our record is not what we would like we have been very competitive in every game we have played.” Even in their early season losses the Panthers have not suffered any complete shut-out as they have only been defeated by a couple of goals each game.
Defensively the Panthers are led by senior goalkeeper Randi Bass, junior center back Mariah Holt and senior center back Megan Melendez. Leading the scoring for the Panthers is sophomore Sabrina Bonilla with 7 goals and junior Jenna Wade with 8. Wade was selected last season for the Pensacola News Journal Area First Team honors with 28 goals for last season.
Senior midfielders Alexia Tzagakis and Keely McNeal are given credit for controlling the center of the soccer field. “These two do the dirty work that no one notices,” Klug said. “They control the most important part of the field, when they succeed we succeed.”
Heading into the second half of their season, the Panthers are currently healthy and eager to be on the field. “The girls are working extremely hard and I fully anticipate that alone to push us into a successful second half of the season,” added Klug. “I have seen a massive improvement in the girls the past few weeks.”
The Milton Boys’ Soccer suffered a loss against Pine Forest 6-0.
The Lady Panthers will play Pace at home on Wednesday, Dec. 11.
The boys’ soccer will travel to Ft. Walton Dec. 12 where both junior varsity and varsity will compete.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Wade leads Milton soccer in win