The atmosphere was electric as fans filled the boneyard stands eagerly anticipating an intense soccer showdown between the Griffith Panthers and Wheeler Bearcats on September 5.  The game began with both teams showcasing their skills, but despite several attempts, the first half concluded with the score of 0-0. The tension was palpable as players regrouped for the moment counted. 

During the last two minutes in the second half, the Panthers star player of the game, Manny Balderas, seized an opportunity and scored the first goal of the match, sending Griffith fans into a frenzy. The scoreboard now read 1-0 in favor of the Panthers. However, the Bearcats were determined not to go down without a fight. They rallied together with a well-coordinated attack and , managed to equalize the score at 1-1, leaving both teams hungry for victory as the clock ticked down. 

As the final whistle blew ,the score remained tied at 1-1 ,but since it was a conference game there  had to be a clear winner leading to an exhilarating overtime period of 2 halves. Both teams pushed their limits, but neither could find the back of the net, forcing the game into a penalty shootout.  

The tension was thick as players lined up to take their shots. Josh Lukas  stepped up first for the Panthers and confidently scored setting the tone for his teammates. Diego Moyo followed by netting two goals showing his precision and composure under pressure. Jake Zielke added another goal bringing the panthers close to victory. 

Finally, it was Manny Balderas  again who had already made his mark in the game, stepping up to take the last shot. With determination in his eyes, he scored the final goal sealing the fate of the match 5-4. The Panthers emerged victorious, defeating the Bearcats, who scored 3 goals during the shootout. The jubilant celebration of the Panthers echoed through the field, marking a memorable victory in a hard-fought competitive game. Balderas said, “If you dedicate yourself to one thing, you can do anything.”