After losing 12 seniors for 2017, it figured to be a rebuilding season for the Orange boys soccer team.
After making the 2nd round of the 3A state playoffs for the first time since 2009, the Panthers lost leading scorer Jamar Davis, All-State wingback Omar Landeros, goalkeeper Noah Miller and midfielder Luke Wirzba.
In the opening week of the 2018 season, Orange dropped both of its opening matches. On Monday night, Orange fell to Carrboro 2-1 in Hillsborough. The Jaguars, who went undefeated in the 2-A Mid-State Conference last season and finished 20-3-2 overall, scored the game-winning goal midway through the 2nd half. Levi Anderson notched Orange’s first goal of the season off a corner kick from Cameron Michalski.
On Wednesday night, Walter Williams defeated the Panthers 4-2. Michalski and Drew Jagentenfl each scored goals for Orange. Williams’ Jorge Alfaro notched two goals, while Chris Gutierrez and Dallin Vandre also scored for the Bulldogs. Junior Romeo Vera tallied three assists. Matthew Morrison made six saves as Williams captured its season-opener. In 2017, the Bulldogs captured a share of the 3A Mid Piedmont Conference and finished 19-3-1.
Orange will make back-to-back road trips next week, starting Tuesday at Eastern Alamance. On Wednesday, the Panthers face Person in Roxboro.
Cedar Ridge started its season on Monday night with a 6-2 loss to Eastern Alamance in Mebane. Sophomore Gustavo Salas scored a hat trick for the Eagles. Cedar Ridge received goals from Reese Weaver on an assist from Dean Allen. Frank Orellana notched an unassisted goal for the Red Wolves. Cedar Ridge will play at Durham School of the Arts on Thursday night, then travel to Carrboro on Monday night. Cedar Ridge opens its home schedule on Wednesday against Graham.
Elsewhere in girls tennis, both Orange and Cedar Ridge opened the season with young teams. Going into the season, Cedar Ridge Coach Lennie Corbett figured to have the services of Ivy Garner, a rising sophomore who finished runner-up in the 3A Mideast Regionals last season. However, Garner transferred to Eno River Academy last week to focus on her main sport, soccer.
Cedar Ridge was also shorthanded when they fell to Bartlett Yancey 8-1 in Monday’s opener as two starters were on vacation. Olivia Ward, who started during the Red Wolves 2016 Big 8 Championship run, won in #1 singles. On Tuesday, Eastern Alamance defeated the Red Wolves 7-2.
The Orange girls tennis team started the season with a 9-0 loss to Eastern Alamance on Monday. On Wednesday, the Lady Panthers fell to Person 5-4.
Against the Rockets, freshman Jera Hargrove won at #1 singles. Junior Sydney Allison earned her first win of the season at #5 singles. In doubles action, the team of Lindsey Jouannet and Morgan Gwynn won at #2, while Allison teamed with junior Gaylaw Eh for a victory at #3.
Next week, Orange will host Eastern Alamance on Monday. Then comes the Big 8 opener against defending conference champion East Chapel Hill on Wednesday.
As for Cedar Ridge, they travel to Eastern Alamance on Monday, then head north to face Bartlett Yancey on Wednesday. They host Roxboro Community School on Thursday, its only home match of the week.