It appears the first state playoff game at Orange Socer Stadium will have to wait.
The Orange Panthers could have tied East Chapel Hill for 2nd place on Wednesday night by simply defeating Northern Durham, a task the Panthers easily accomplished last month with a 4-2 decision at Armstrong Soccer Stadium in Durham.
Instead, Northern scored twice in the opening 20 minutes, and held off a late charge to defeat the Panthers 3-1 on Wednesday night, ruining senior night for Orange’s 12 players competing in Hillsborough for the final time.
Orange ends the regular season 13-6-2 in the regular season, 10-4 in the Big 8. The Panthers will almost certainly qualify for the 64-team 3A state playoff field, which will be announced Monday. However, they will most likely be on the road to open play.
Senior Bryan Torres knocked in his own rebound for the Panthers’ only goal with 5:32 remaining in regulation. Northern pulled that goal back scoring on a quick counter for the final tally.
Orange put themselves in position to win its first-ever conference championship by winning a school-record nine consecutive games, but ended the regular season losing three of its last four.
Cedar Ridge’s regular season ended in disappointing fashion on Tuesday night, falling to Southern Durham 2-1 at Red Wolves Stadium. Than Aung, in his final game, scored the Red Wolves’ only goal on a penalty kick.
It was the final game for Cedar Ridge seniors Aung, Jake Brown, A.J. Perez, Henry Mellor and goalkeeper Jesus Yanez.
The Red Wolves end the season 5-15-1, 4-9-1 in the Big 8.