Panthers’ second-half surge downs Kiel

PLYMOUTH – A strong second half lifted the Plymouth Panthers over a determined Kiel squad, 2-0, in Eastern Wisconsin Conference boys soccer action Thursday afternoon at Panther Field.

Junior forward Zach Fohr scored the Panthers’ two goals in the final 15 minutes of the second half. PHS was outplayed in the opening half but managed a 0-0 tie.

“We got the ball outside better and put passes together in the second half,” said PHS head coach Bruce McMyler.

“We went to the middle too much in the first half. We spread out their defense more in the second half. I was pretty pleased with the second half.”

The Panthers chalked up their fourth EWC shutout of the season as they upped their league-leading record to 5-0 (8-1-1 overall). The Raiders dropped to 3-1 in the EWC (6-4 overall).

Kiel had the ball in its offensive end of the field a majority of the first half and held a 7-2 advantage in shots on goal but was unable to score. Panther junior goalkeeper Jon Hintz made two diving saves in the half.

PHS outshot the Raiders 5-0 in the second half. Fohr’s first goal came with 15 minutes left on an assist by Zach Schroeder.

Fohr made it 2-0 with a minute remaining when he followed up a shot off the crossbar by Max Gatyas and headed ball into the net.

“Zach got himself in good position [for the goal] by moving well without the ball,” McMyler said.

“Jon was very poised. He didn’t get rattled and was in the right position. Our central midfielders, Ryan Klecka and Brad Mallmann, had very good games. They got the offense going in the second half.”

Hintz made a season-high seven saves. “Kiel played a good game. They went to the ball hard. They had us back on our heels [in the first half],” the coach noted.