By JARROD POTTER
CASEY PANTHERS’ under-13s made the most of their trip down the coast last month, impressing the crowds at the Mt Eliza Cup to finish runner-up in their division of the tournament.
The cup, held in early October at Mt Eliza Secondary College, brought together a jam-packed competition full of the best junior soccer teams from around Victoria to vie in a round-robin competition.
The Panthers toiled throughout their preliminary matches and advanced to the final to face Mornington following victory over Mt Eliza.
Even with only 10 players available, the Panthers dug deep to force Mornington to 2-2 by the end of regulation time and kept the score line the same as the penalty shootout approached.
Penalties couldn’t even split the sides as they both went to 5-5, forcing a sudden death played off where the Peninsula-based side found the winning goal to end the Panthers’ brave fight.
Although the cup didn’t return with the Panthers to Prospect Hill Reserve, the team performed excellently considering it was down on numbers following the end of the regular season.
“Just a fantastic bunch of guys had an epic season,” Koffman said.
“We were number one all season and to finish runners-up, knocking out the team on their own ground with only 10 men rounded off the season.
“I’m a really, really proud coach and I hope we can do it all again next season.”
The Panthers play in the Football Federation Victoria competition.
