1999 Season
I am going to provide the past news article from the best year of Panther Soccer, the 1999 Lower State Runner Up finish. Articles from the High School Sports Report, The State Paper, The Charleston Post and Courier, and The Twin City News will be featured.
B-L Varsity soccer team wins Salkehatchie Classic
The Twin City News
The Panthers began their season by capturing the title of Salkehatchie Classic Champions. The tournament was held Feb. 26-27 with the first two games playing in Blackville and the championship game in Barnwell.
The Panthers defeated Bamberg-Ehrhardt by a score of 7-3 in game one of the tourney. Scoring goals for the Panthers were Laura Buzhardt and Jeremy Ernst each with one goal, Josh Michell with a PK, and a freshman, Will Hall, who had four goals. Goalies Paul Brigham and BB Smith also played a great game with seven and five saves, respectively.
"This was a nice way to start the season off," commented Coach Joe Landreneau. "I think that this win helped us out in the rest of the tourney because the team realized they could perform on this level and defeat good teams even without Michael and Marion (missing due to a playoff varsity basketball game)."
The second round of the tournament was a tough game against Edisto who defeated the Panthers last year. The Panthers were down a goal after the first half, but they didn't quit and came back to tie the game in the second half. With 5 minutes left in the game, the Panthers scored again to defeat Edisto 2-1. Marion Smith and Josh Mitchell both scored goals for the Panthers. Paul Brigham played an excellent game making 11 saves. The defense led by Zack Stringfield and Chris Stewart also played an excellent game, shutting out Edisto in the second half.
The Panthers' victory against Edisto advanced them to the championship game against their rival, Barnwell. The Panthers look forward to their match-up with Barnwell each year because it usually proves to be a good benchmark in how their season will go. This year's matchup was no disappointment as the Panthers won a hard fought and exciting game. Marion Smith scored the first goal for the Panthers with an assist from Will Hall. Barnwell scored their first goal with one minute left in the first half. Barnwell scored again in the second half, but B-L's Michael Ellisor scored on a direct kick just outside of the box with two minutes left in the game to tie and send it to penalty kicks. "I believe Marion may have faked a foul there, but you have to do those things to win. Marion and everyone else knows how deadly Michael is in those situations," said Landreneau. The Panthers won the shootout 4-2, with all four of the first four shooters (Chris Stewart, Will Hall, Josh Mitchell, and Michael Ellisor) scoring, and not needing the fifth kicker, Marion Smith. Paul Brigham played an excellent game making 13 saves during the game and stopping the penalty kicks during the shoot-out to clinch the victory for the Panthers.
Brigham and Ellisor were named MVP's of the tourney. Coach Landreneua was happy to "bring home another victory to this program. This win means a lot to me because bringing home this victory showed what this team is capable of doing when they play together as a team."
Panthers soccer stock on rise
The High School Sports Report
The Batesburg-Leesville High soccer team has turned things around rather dramatically the spring under first year coach Joe Landreneau.
The Panthers put together a respectable 7-5 record in March after only winning 7 matches the year before.
"I think much of the difference this year is we have 8 seniors, including a number of guys who have been playing varsity ball together for four years," said Landreneau. "And we're getting great play in the midfield."
B-L serve early notice when it won the pre-season Salkehatchie Tourney in Barnwell, downing Silver Bluff (7-3) and Edisto (2-1) prior to defeating Barnwell 3-2 in a shootout thriller.
Senior Center Midfielder Michael Ellisor and sophomore keeper Paul Brigham earned MVP billing in the event. He turned away two pk's in the shootout win and registered 27 saves in the three tourney matches.
Junior Marion Smith is the key man on the front line that also includes freshman Will Hall, junior Jason Shirley, and senior Jeremy Ernst.
But the main reason for B-L's improved offensive showing has been the play of the midfield crew, featuring senior Michael Ellisor, outside halfbacks Josh Mitchell and Allen Fountain have also played very well.
Mitchell and Smith share the team scoring lead with eight goals apiece. Ellisor has scored six times, and Hall five times.
The defensive cast includes senior stopper Zack Stringfield, and Junior sweeper Chris Stewart, along with senior Hank O'Sheal and sophomore Michael Mims at the fullback position.
Brigham has been solid in goal, and has a bright future, said Landreneau.
Reserve strength has been provided by seniors Megan Derrick, Jason Mouzon and BB Smith, juniors Laura Buzhardt and Ashleigh Ellisor.
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