There are bigger goals for the Orange Boys soccer team aim to tackle before autumn ends, but its 8-0 victory over Hillside at Russell Blount Stadium on Wednesday night did guarantee one thing.
It will be Orange’s first winning season since 2010.
The Panthers improved to 11-3-2 with its eighth straight victory. Bryan Torres and Drew Jagentenfl each scored two goals as the Panthers remain tied for first place in the Big 8 with identical 8-1 records.
R.J. Pherribo opened the scoring for the Panthers with a goal in the 12th minute. In the 23rd minute, senior Jamar Davis added insurance with another marker. With 19:03 remaining, Torres added a goal from the top of the box. Jagentenfl notched his first goal with 13:14 remaining in the first half.
Torres, Jagentenfl and Luke Wiesbaden each scored in the 2nd half.
The blowout over Hillside came two days after arguable the biggest regular season win in Orange history, a 2-1 victory over East Chapel Hill at Orange soccer field. That victory propelled the Panthers into a first-place tie with East Chapel Hill and Chapel Hill.
Malcolm Phillips scored the opener off a penalty with 25:11 remaining in the first half. East Chapel HIll got the equalizer from Osvin Ordonez-Gonzalez from ten yards away off a feed from Taylor Greeno.
Moments later, Davis scored the game-winner off a breakaway. Goalkeeper Noah Miller made several key saves down the stretch.
Orange will host Cedar Ridge on Monday night.