After years of waiting to reach the Eastern Regional Championship game, the Orange lacrosse team didn’t reach its previously uncharted plateau with a last minute goal or a big save in the waning seconds. Instead, the Panthers simply dominated Carrboro 13-4 in the fourth round of the 3A/2A/1A State Playoffs on Thursday night at Auman Stadium in Hillsborough. Junior Tigh Metheny scored five goals. Metheny’s classmate, Jake Wimsatt, notched three goals, three assists and 16 face-off wins. Connor Kruse added two goals and three assists as the Panthers extended its school record for most wins in a season with 17. Sophomore goalkeeper Katie Wolter had four saves as the Panthers secured a spot in the 3A/2A/1A Eastern Regional Championship game for the first time in school history. Thus far in the state playoffs, Orange has defeated Carrboro, South Brunswick and Walter Williams by a combined score of 48-19. The Panthers will get the weekend off, then prepare to face the winner of Saturday’s other Eastern Regional semifinal game between Croatan and First Flight. Orange will host the Eastern Regional Championship game on Tuesday night at Auman Stadium.
