The free-flowing, shots from all angles melee that was the opening leg of the Hillsborough Derby between Orange and Cedar Ridge last month bore little resemblance to what unfolded on Monday night at Cedar Ridge Stadium.
The centerback tandems for each team largely dictated the pace of play and, in Cedar Ridge’s case, the scoring. But it was Orange senior Tyler Mann who factored in the most, scoring two goals in the second half to lead the Panthers past Cedar Ridge 4-1. It secured Orange’s first regular season sweep of its crosstown rivals since 2017.
“You have to give Cedar Ridge credit,” said Orange coach Palmer Bowman. “They were more physical than us and they wanted the ball more. They just had a couple of bounces not go their way, but they dominated the first half.”
Senior Issac Anderson notched the only Red Wolves goal with 16:21 remaining in the second half off a corner kick by Illiah Babchenko. Anderson, a centerback who shares the defensive backfield with sophomore Solomon Hernandez, helped the Red Wolves control the possession early. Orange didn’t get a shot off in the opening ten minutes.
“You have to remain positive,” said Cedar Ridge coach Chauncey Brummel following a lengthy postgame meeting with his team. “We let them know that the rest of the season is up to them. It’s up to them how we want to end this season. I think you just keep going. We have a lot of seniors on this team and I asked them to step up. We have to put this game behind us.”
Orange’s (7-8, 4-4 in the Central Carolina Conference) centerback duo of senior Darius Corbett and Tucker Gaddy broke up numerous Cedar Ridge scoring opportunities as both teams struggled to generate offense after kickoff. With 14:57 remaining in the first half, Orange’s Traver Bruhns intercepted a pass on Orange’s attacking end. Senior Cooper Wheelis found classmate Bryan Membreno, who unleashed a rocket from 28 yards away that curled into the upper right corner of the night past Cedar Ridge goalkeeper Erik Galunasnas for the opening goal.
Cedar Ridge (4-12-1, 2-7) had its best first half chance when Justin Murillo took a lead pass and was in a leg race with Corbett in an attempt to break away. Corbett beat Murillo to the ball and cleared it across the end line. On the subsequent corner kick, a header by Hernandez sailed over the crossbar.
“In the second half, we had more possession time,” Bowman said. “We’re fortunate to have Darius and Tucker. They give us great comfort back there.”
With 25:20 remaining in the second half, Cooper Zinn took a free kick 45 yards from net following a Cedar Ridge foul. Zinn arched a gorgeous ball to Mann, who sent a worm burner into the net for the first insurance goal.
After Anderson’s marker reduced Orange’s lead to 2-1, the Red Wolves had numerous chances to tie the game. Mendez locked up with Corbett in transition once again off a pass from Murillo, but Mendez was off balance and his shot went high.
On Orange’s final corner kick of the night, a ball sent In by senior Cooper Zinn skipped off the head of teammate Dylan Silverman away from net. Sophomore Eben Petrides, free off the left flank, pounced on the rebound and fired a line drive from 14 yards away for his first varsity goal with 19:45 remaining to increase the Panthers’ lead to 3-1.
Mann, who has a team-high seven goals this season, added his second goal off an assist from Zinn with 4:00 remaining.
Now Orange will spent the final two weeks of the regular season with its biggest games in six years, which was the last time they made the state playoffs. On Wednesday, the Panthers will host Person. Next Monday, they will commemorate Senior Night against Eastern Alamance.
Orange will go into the Person game with a MaxPreps ranking of #24 in the 3A East. 32 teams in the East Region will make the 3A State Playoffs.
“It’s not about me playing,” Bowman said. “It’s about these guys and just trying to get them to take advantage of the moment and enjoy the moment.”