Perry Lady Panthers crowned region champs; Undefeated in last 42 region games

PERRY — Back on their home turf Thursday night, the region 2-4A championship was decided as the Perry Lady Panthers (15-0-1, 10-0 Region 2-4A) faced the West Laurens Lady Raiders (8-6-1, 8-3 Region).

The Lady Panthers, who’d held their opponents scoreless their last six games, continued that streak with a 7-0 victory, clinching the region.

They fought hard for control and played a game of speed.

The Lady Raiders struggled to keep up. Senior defender Fraser Knapek made an incredible effort early, returning a missed ball right in the box. Knapek caught up, and it was a streamlined shot in the right corner. 

West Laurens took aggressive steps at the Lady Panthers. They slid down for attacks or pushed back for the ball.

Those attacks held Perry off for a while, but it was only a matter of time before the Lady Panthers found the goal again.

Senior Sadie Surber lurked on their front lines and took advantage of an almost perfect through ball to sneak it behind West Laurens’ goalkeeper to make it 2-0 Perry.

Stepping into the second half, the Lady Panthers were ready to keep their four-year streak as region champs.

Madilynn Foster flew through the Lady Raiders defense. Taking the ball down the line, she made it into the goal box, and in one quick shot it was in the back of West Laurens’ net.

Down 3-0, the Lady Raiders’ combative approach slowed down.

The next goal came from senior Reaghan Rees as the Lady Panthers made an attack up the field.

In a one-two cross to Rees, she only had to take one step before smashing it behind the Lady Raiders goalkeeper adding another goal to Perry’s tally.

Foster, senior defender Camille Sandefur and Knapek each added another score before the buzzer sounded, signaling another region championship for the Lady Panthers.

Panthers coach Nathan Dooley was proud of his girls: 

“It’s amazing to see what they can do when they come together,” he said.

Perry cheered for the 42-0 win streak in the girl’s varsity matches. Sweeping every 4A team for four years straight.

UP NEXT 

Though the region championship is locked up, the Lady Panthers still have two region games left.

Their first is on the road at Griffin, an 11-0 Perry victory last time. That will be Wednesday, April 10 at 5:30 p.m. Their regular season finale will be on Friday, April 12 at home against Baldwin at 5:30 p.m.