Former Oompaloompas defeat Cheetahs in championship game

Laurel Sewing played a flawless game in the goal Saturday, stopping every single shot that came her way.

Sewing helped the Purple Panthers, formerly the Oompaloompas, beat the Soccer Cheetahs, 2-0, Saturday at Youth Sports Inc.

“Your team kind of relies on you to stop the ball when you play goalie,” Sewing said.

Sewing had to have some help from her offense because she couldn’t do any scoring herself from the goalie box. Purple Panthers forward Shania Baumgartner started the scoring by plowing her way through the Soccer Cheetahs’ defense to blast a shot into the upper left-side of the goal.

Baumgartner played an aggressive game up front for the Purple Panthers. She disrupted the Soccer Cheetah defense when they tried to clear the ball, which limited the success of their midfielders.

Throughout the first quarter, Soccer Cheetahs left winger Addison Campbell was unstoppable on the left side of the field. Campbell made run after run up the field to cross balls past the middle of the goal face. The Soccer Cheetahs were unable to capitalize on the scoring chances in front of the goal, with Sewing making big stops on their shots.

Soccer Cheetah Andrea Mills, left, tries to seal the ball from Panther forward, formerly the Oompaloompas, Emily Robertson, right, Saturday at Youth Sports Inc.

The best scoring chance of the first half for the Soccer Cheetahs came on a free kick by Campbell. She took the kick from slightly to the left side 20 yards outside of the goal. Campbell aimed for the upper-right side of the goal, but her kick sailed just inches past the right goalpost and out of bounds.

Purple Panthers forward Emily Robertson was able to capitalize on her scoring opportunity. Robertson collected a crossed ball at her feet and set herself up for a shot. She placed the ball between the goalposts and the Soccer Cheetahs goalkeeper to give her team the 2-0 lead heading into halftime.

During the second half, the Purple Panthers used their bench to keep fresh legs on defense to help preserve the 2-0 shutout. Purple Panthers defenders Anna Patterson and Anna Clayton helped keep the shots away from Sewing to secure the win.

The Soccer Cheetahs showed heart and tenacity while trailing by two goals. Forwards Sadie Keller and Danielle Campbell kept the pressure on Patterson and Clayton throughout the entire second half.