The Purple Panthers came up just minutes short from earning a complete game shutout.

The Panthers ended up winning their soccer game 4-1 over the 10U Division 2 Club Kiwi Force Saturday at Youth Sports Inc.

The game belonged to the Purple Panthers during the first half. The Purple Panthers dominated the time of possession by executing crisp passes without exerting too much energy. When passing wasn’t an option for the Purple Panthers, they relied on superior dribbling techniques to get around defenders.

The Purple Panthers used their skills to score the first goal of the game when midfielder Shania Baumgartner drilled the ball over the head of the Kiwi Force’s goalkeeper.

The Purple Panthers continued their offensive attack with high pressure on the Kiwi Force defense. Panthers forward Marissa Bartling ended the first half with her team’s second goal. Bartling took a pass around her defender and knocked the ball into the side netting to go up 2-0 at the break.

Bartling carried her success of the first half into the second half. She used the momentum created by her first goal to open up more scoring chances for her team. Bartling used her speed and quickness along with her crafty dribbling abilities to cut and weave through the Kiwi Force midfield.

Bartling scored two more goals during the second half to help the Purple Panthers gain a 4-0 lead with less than 10 minutes to go in the game.

Kiwi Force defender Morgan Ross helped slow down the Purple Panther offensive attack during those final 10 minutes. The Kiwi Force’s improved defense allowed the offense to take more chances. The higher rate of chances paid off for the Kiwi Force in the form of the team’s first goal.

Forward Kaitlyn Johnson broke through the Purple Panthers’ defense for a one-on-one with the goalie. Johnson slipped the ball passed the goal line and into the back of the net to break the shutout.

The Kiwi Force’s efforts toward the end of the game weren’t enough as the Purple Panthers cruised to victory 4-1.