Panthers finally get match in

     Monticello missed the first two matches of its girls soccer schedule because of poor weather. But thanks to improved conditions, and a bit of rescheduling, the Panthers were finally in action April 12 at Maquoketa.

     Unfortunately it didn’t result in a Panther win, as the Cardinals scored three second half goals to secure a 5-0 win over Monticello.

     “We did a lot of good things, and we worked out a lot of first game jitters,” Monticello coach Bruce Feuling said. “Our defense played very well, and we only have a few tweaks to make going forward. We need to be better at passing and taking quality shots.”

     The game was scoreless until Maquoketa scored two goals in a four-minute stretch midway through the first half.

     “The defenses played strong and turned back scoring threats by both offenses well in to the first half,” Feuling said.

     The 2-0 score remained until the Cardinals tallied again with about 15 minutes to play, then added two more, the last one with one minute left.

     Panther goalkeeper Cassie Gillmore made 17 saves.