This week’s Orange Panther of the Week is junior soccer striker Emma Edwards. Over the first seven games of this season, Edwards has emerged as the leading scorer for the Orange women’s soccer team. On March 5, Edwards scored in the Lady Panthers’ 5-1 win over Eno River Academy at Orange Soccer Field. Edwards scored off a penalty kick as Orange earned its first win of the season. On March 9, Edwards scored the lone goal for Orange is a 2-1 loss to Eastern Alamance in Hillsborough. Against J.F. Webb in Oxford, Edwards tallied two goals as the Lady Panthers came away with a 8-0 win at Warriors Stadium. Last season, Edwards scored four goals in seven games for Orange. She scored her first goal of the 2025 season against Riverside on March 17, 2025 in a 4-1 Orange victory. She also had goals against Cedar Ridge and Person as a sophomore to help the Lady Panthers finish 12-8, including a win in the 3A State Playoffs against Southern Nash during the opening round. Edwards grew up playing in the Mebane Youth Soccer Association. Her first varsity goal came in her freshman season in a 4-2 victory over Walter Williams. She also assisted on four goals as a freshman. Orange will face Durham School of the Arts in downtown Durham on April 6 in its first game after spring break.
