Orange Men’s Soccer

It was better late than never for the Orange men’s soccer team in its first trip to Northern Durham’s new on-campus facility.

Thanks to some late heroics, the Panthers are now off to its best start since 2010.

After assisting on the game-tying goal in the 81st minute, junior Demetrius Holmes scored the game-winning goal with two minutes remaining in regulation as the Panthers defeated the Knights 2-1 last Wednesday.

After winning its final tuneup before the Central Conference opener, the Panthers are 5-2. Orange last started 5-2 in 2010, when they were a 2A team.

Northern scored its only goal just before halftime. William Mejia chipped in a pass from sophomore Derrick Corea to give the Knights the lead going into halftime.

Holmes scored in first varsity goal on August 28 against Eno River Academy. Brendan McDonald scored evened the game off a feed from Holmes, which was his first varsity assist.

Holmes scored the game-winning goal off a rebound. Sophomore Hector Garrido earned his fifth win, stopping four shots.

Orange has won three in a row going into its conference opener against Western Alamance on Wednesday night in Hillsborough. The Warriors recently added former Cedar Ridge All-Conference midfielder Dominic McNerney to its roster. McNerney has opened the year with eight goals and six assists for the Warriors, who are 6-1.

Cedar Ridge 2, Eno River Academy 0: Four weeks into the season, the Cedar Ridge men’s soccer team hasn’t played a home game and lost its top player to Western Alamance two days before the opener.

Last Tuesday, the Red Wolves found reason to believe when they defeated Eno River Academy 2-0 at soccer.com Soccer Complex in Efland. Niko James, who scored Cedar Ridge’s first goal of the season in a loss to Carrboro, scored the Red Wolves’ first game-winning goal of the season off an assist from Andy Tarija.

Rodrigo Arellano added another goal off an assist from Noah Koehler. Erik Galunas made five saves for his first clean sheet of the season.

Cedar Ridge will start Central Conference play at Person in Roxboro on Wednesday night.

This week’s Orange Panther of the Week is men’s soccer midfielder Yurem Tapia Mendez. Last week, Mendez scored two goals as the Panthers defeated Eno River Academy 6-1 at Panther Soccer Field. It has been a season of game-winning goals for Mendez thus far. On August 12, in the season opener, Orange defeated Carrboro 1-0 in Hillsborough. It was the Panthers first-ever victory over the Jaguars. Mendez scored the only goal in the first half. On August 24, Mendez scored another game-winning goals in the second half as the Panthers defeated West Johnston 2-1 at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary during the North Carolina Soccer Coaches Association Kickoff Classic. He started this season with six goals in the opening five games. The Panthers, after its win over Northern Durham on Wednesday night, is off to a 5-2 start. It’s the best start for the Panthers since 2016. Mendez is a big fan of FC Barcelona of Spain’s La Liga. He envisions playing soccer professionally in the future. Mendez is in his third year as a member of Orange’s varsity. Last season, he scored two goals across eight games. He added eight assists. Last season, Mendez scored goals against Southern Alamance and Walter Williams, a 2-1 Panthers win. He also had two assists in a win over Person.

Orange Panther of the Week: Yurem Tapia Mendez

This week’s Orange Panther of the Week is men’s soccer midfielder Yurem Tapia Mendez. Last week, Mendez scored two goals as the Panthers defeated Eno River Academy 6-1 at Panther Soccer Field. It has been a season of game-winning goals for Mendez thus far.

There will be a bounce in the step of the Orange football team when practice resumes on Tuesday. That’s because the Panthers defeated Chapel Hill for the first time since 2019 on Friday night. Orange got three touchdowns from Ja’ki McDaniels, who rushed for 131 yards in Orange’s 20-13 victory over the Tigers at Culton-Peerman Stadium. McDaniels broke off a 54-yard run on the first play of the game, then ended the drive with a three-yard plunge. McDaniels scored the game-winning touchdown immediately after a fumble recovery by Jayden Klieforth in the fourth quarter. It was a gratifying win for the Panthers, who never trailed after leading 14-0 at the half. Orange’s Jayden Medley had an interception in the first half, then stopped Chapel Hill’s Josh Roberson at the 7-yard line in the dying seconds as the Tigers attempted to tie the game. McDaniels also caught a touchdown pass from quarterback Hank Nunnery in the second quarter. Nahjour Kenyon, a 5-5 senior, made a huge tackle for loss against Chapel Hill starting quarterback Jonah Berman on the Tigers’ first series of the game. Orange will play its home opener against Vance County on Friday night at Amman Stadium. Then Orange will make its first-ever trip to Montgomery Central on September 14 for its final nonconference game.

Orange football coach DeVante Pettiford & running back Ja’ki McDaniels discuss win over Chapel Hill

There will be a bounce in the step of the Orange football team when practice resumes on Tuesday. That’s because the Panthers defeated Chapel Hill for the first time since 2019 on Friday night. Orange got three touchdowns from Ja’ki McDaniels, who rushed for 131 yards in Orange’s 20-13 victory over the Tigers at Culton-Peerman Stadium.

The first false fall of 2024 gave way to the hottest day in August last Wednesday, coincidentally the same night that Eno River Academy made its first-ever trip to Orange Soccer Field.

Just like so many other times this year, Orange junior midfielder Yurim Tapia Mendez had the winning formula, notching his first career brace for the Panthers’ second straight victory.

Mendez now has six goals in Orange’s opening five games of the season after the Panthers defeated the Bobcats 6-1. Sophomore Hector Garrido, who started in basketball as a freshman early last winter, earned his fourth win of the season as goalkeeper, making six saves.

Orange improved to 2-0 lifetime against Eno River Academy, located just two miles from the Orange campus along Highway 57. Last year, the Panthers defeated the Bobcats 2-1 at soccer.com Field in Efland.

Eno River falls to 2-4-1.

“We adapted a little as the game went on,” said Orange coach Palmer Bowman. “We need to work harder in coming out with a killer instinct. But we adapted and cleaned it up towards the end. That was good to see. We did a good job of getting organized defensively.”

It was another night where Orange’s back line of Dallas Johnson, Eben Petrides, Jay Parker and Logan Edwards controlled the pace of play and largely shut down any serious Bobcats threats in the second half. Eno River’s only goal in the 16th minute when a shot lofted from 40 yards away sailed over Gurrido’s head and softly into the roof of the net.

“We know they have some players who can shoot from distance,” Bowman said. “They just caught us off guard on that one. That was a mental lapse.”

Orange controlled the remainder of the game starting when junior John Tercero chipped a pass across the field and found Daniel Toledo, who pooched a high shot into the upper right corner from 24 yards to give Orange a 3-1 lead. It was Toledo’s first goal of the year.

Johnson had a coast-to-coast run from his center back position and nearly rolled a ball past goalkeeper Joel Strong, who made a lunging save. With 2:12 remaining in the first half, Strong tapped the ball over the night on a free kick attempt by Orange junior Christopher Lopez.

Orange kicked off to start the second half and dominated possession the remainder of the game. Moments after Joseph Lopez’s attempt off a pass from Angel Chavez rolled wide, Mendez notched his second goal from ten yards away on a short entry pass from Kace McAuley.

“The heat was obviously a factor,” Bowman said. “So we figured the more we had the ball, the more they chased, the more they got worn down.”

Eno River’s best chance in the second half came with 29:30 remaining when Alden Yarborough fired from 35 yards off a free kick that banged off the crossbar. Moments later, Orange’s Angel Chavez’s attempt from 17 yards bounced wide.

McAuley cashed in with 20:37 remaining after receiving a pass from Chaviz. McAuley dribbled into the box and shot it in for his first goal to make it 5-1 in favor of the Panthers.

Sophomore Jesse Petrides took a corner kick with 4:44 remaining and headed it in from the edge of the six-yard box for the game’s final tally. It was Petrides’ first varsity goal.

Orange improves to 4-2. They will travel to Northern Durham on Wednesday night.

Cedar Ridge 1, Northern Durham 1: It its only game of last week, Cedar Ridge played to its second consecutive tie at Northern Durham. Alex Rosales scored the Red Wolves goal off an assist from Rodrigo Arellano. Junior goalkeeper Erik Galunas made seven saves.

Remarkably, Cedar Ridge still hasn’t played a home game yet. They will make yet road trip, albeit to Efland, on Tuesday night to face Eno River Academy at soccer.com Field.

In the final days of summer vacation, Cedar Ridge and Orange made their annual trip to WakeMed Soccer Park for the North Carolina Soccer Coaches Association Kick-Off Classic. The Panthers and the Red Wolves each came away with stronger performances with the Panthers earning a win.

Orange 2, West Johnston 1: Yurim Tapia Mendez now has four goals on the season after notching the game-winning goal as Orange defeated West Johnston on Saturday.

Mendez scored the game-winning goal off a free kick as the Panthers improved to 3-2 and bounced back from a loss to Riverside. Mendez scored the opening goal off a cross from Kace McAuley in the first half. Famany Zogbelamou scored the only goal for the Wildcats, who fell to 4-2. West Johnston came into the game off a 4-1 win over Central Academy.

Sophomore goalkeeper Hector Garrido earned his third win of the season for Orange making eight saves. Orange’s backline of Dallas Johnson, Jay Parker and Eben Petrides did a strong job of fending off the Wildcats in the final 20 minute.

Orange will return home tonight (Wednesday) to face Eno River Academy in the second-ever matchup. Last year, the Panthers defeated the Bobcats 2-1 at Soccer.com Park in Efland.

Cedar Ridge 1, Cape Fear 1: Last Friday, the Red Wolves broke a two-game losing streak with a tie against the Colts. Andy Tarija scored his first varsity goal assisted by Edwin Huerta. Erik Galunas was the Red Wolf goalkeeper. Cedar Ridge is 0-2-1. They will play its fourth consecutive road game tonight when they travel to Northern Durham. It’s Cedar Ridge’s only game this week. The Red Wolves will play its first home game against Chapel Hill on September 9.

Orange 5, Durham School of the Arts 3: Five different players netted goals as the Orange men’s soccer team claimed its second home win of the season on Monday night. Senior Isaac Gallegos scored off a penalty kick, his first of the season, as the Panthers improved to 2-1.

Orange led 3-0 at halftime. Junior Yurem Tapia Mendez scored his second goal of the season and finished with six shots on the night. Senior Joseph Lopez added another tally for insurance as the Panthers defeated the Bulldogs for the second straight year. Sophomore Ajali Carter added the first varsity goal of his career as the Panthers bounced back from a 3-0 loss at Southern Durham.

It was the third time this year that Orange played an opponent in the Northern Lakes Conference. Last Monday, in the season opener, Orange defeated Carrboro 1-0 behind a goal from Mendez.

Kace McAuley, who assisted on Mendez’s game-winner last week, added his first goal.

Sophomore goalkeeper Hector Garrido earned his second win, making three saves.

Vance County 3, Cedar Ridge 1: Elmer Mejia-Turcio scored a hat trick for Vance County, who improved to 4-0 with a win in Henderson on Monday night. Jeremy Araujo-Sanisca and Jonathan Barragan Hernandez assisted on the goals for the Vipers, who went 13-11 last year. Vance County avenged a 3-1 loss to the Red Wolves in 2023.

Niko James scored his second goal for Cedar Ridge, who fell to 0-2. Arturo Hernandez assisted on the goal.

Cedar Ridge will face Cape Fear at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary on Friday afternoon at 2PM.

Riverside 2, Orange 0: Amir El-Tanany and Michael Salinas Ordonez each scored in the first half for Riverside, who defeated Orange at Linny Wrenn Stadium in Durham on Wednesday night.

Orange falls to 2-2. Hector Garrido and Durvin Lopez shared time as goalkeeper for Orange. The Panthers will also journey to WakeMed Soccer Park this Saturday afternoon. The Panthers will face West Johnston at 1PM.

For the first time in program history, Orange men’s soccer defeated Carrboro on Monday night. Junior Yurem Tapia Mendez accepted a pass from senior Kace McAuley for the game-winning goal in the second half as the Panthers defeated the Jaguars 1-0 in the season opener at Orange Soccer Field in Hillsborough on Monday night. In his first varsity start, goalkeeper Hector Garrido earned a clean sheet for Orange, making two saves. After Mendez’s game-winning goal, Orange back line of Dallas Johnson, Eben Petrides, Jay Parker and Logan Edwards worked tirelessly to keep the Jaguars from scoring, despite repeated corner kicks in the final 15 minutes. Going into the game, Carrboro was 3-0-2 lifetime against the Panthers, including a 1-1 tie last year in Jaguars Stadium. Mendez scored two goals last season and got off to a strong start to the season on Monday. Petrides was selected as the Rick Ashby State Farm Defensive Player of the Game. It’s the second straight year that Orange won its season opener. Last year, the Panthers defeated Durham School of the Arts. Orange will travel to Durham on Wednesday night to face Southern Durham, the defending Northern Lakes Conference champions. Orange will return home to face Durham School of the Arts next Monday in Hillsborough.

Orange soccer’s Yurem Tapia Mendez & Eben Petrides discuss season-opening win vs. Carrboro

For the first time in program history, Orange men’s soccer defeated Carrboro on Monday night. Junior Yurem Tapia Mendez accepted a pass from senior Kace McAuley for the game-winning goal in the second half as the Panthers defeated the Jaguars 1-0 in the season opener at Orange Soccer Field in Hillsborough on Monday night.

The drawback for Orange men’s soccer is its goalkeeping position is young.

But their centerbacks and wingbacks are not.

On Monday night, the defensive backline of Jay Parker, Dallas Johnson, Eben Petrides and Logan Edwards defended strongly in front of goalkeeper Hector Garrido, who got a clean sheet in his first varsity start.

And what a time to do it.

Orange defeated Carrboro 1-0 for the first time in recorded history to open the season on Monday night at Orange Soccer Field. Yurem Tapia Mendez scored the game’s only goal after he received a through pass from senior Kace McAuley with 23:47 remaining in regulation.

MaxPreps.com records show that Orange and Carrboro had met five previous times dating back to 2010. The Jaguars and the Panthers played to a 1-1 tie last year at Jaguars Stadium. Carrboro, which opened in 2007,  had gone 3-0-2 lifetime against Orange going into Monday night. Records date back to 2010.

After Mendez’s opener, Carrboro continued to press looking for the equalizer. The Jaguars amassed a series of corner kicks in the final 20 minutes, but Orange thwarted each attempt.

It was the second straight year that the Panthers won its season opener. Last year, Orange won at Durham School of the Arts.

Orange’s preparation for its season opener was rushed because of Mother Nature. Last week, the Panthers had two scrimmages scheduled. The first one against Chapel Hill lasted all of eight minutes before a downpour ensued and everybody went home. Another scheduled scrimmage canceled for Thursday was washed away courtesy of Tropical Storm Debby.

“I think everybody was working out some kinks tonight,” said Orange coach Palmer Bowman. “That had to work through it.”

Yurem, a junior, scored two goals in 2023. He replaced Emmanuel Mil Cruz, who led the Panthers with five goals last season before graduating in June, at forward. It was set up when McAuley stepped into a passing lane and found Mendez cutting up the center of the field.

“We emphasized quick counters,” Bowman said. “Kace made a good read and intercepted it and it was a quick counter.”

Carrboro, coming off a second place finish in the Northern Lakes Conference in 2023, finished 13-6-3 last season. The Jaguars were looking for a scoring option after its top three goal scorers from 2023 graduated, including Kesar Lamb, who finished with 20 goals in 2023 en route to the state playoffs.

That’s where Orange’s backline came through. They patrolled the goal where Garrido, who had numerous starts as a freshman in men’s basketball last winter, made two saves to earn the shutout. Petrides helped engineer several clearances in the final ten minutes as the Panthers desperately cringed to a one-goal lead for the final 20 minutes of regulation.

“They limited Carrboro’s opportunities,” Bowman said. “Carrboro had way more possession, but we limited opportunities in our defensive third. They deserve a lot of credit.”

Orange finished 8-8-3 overall in 2023 with a fourth place finish in the Central Conference. For the first time since the formation of the Central Conference in 2022, the Panthers defeated Walter Williams in Burlington. Earlier in the year, the Bulldogs and the Panthers played to a scoreless tie in Hillsborough.

For the first time in the 44-year history of the program, Orange men’s soccer reached the state playoffs in consecutive years. After finishing the regular season with a 2-0 win over Eastern Alamance in Mebane, the Panthers fell to Lee County in Sanford in the state playoffs. In 2022, J.H. Rose knocked off Orange in Greenville.

With Southern Durham, the defending Northern Lakes champions, on tap for Wednesday night, Bowman isn’t letting his team get ahead of itself.

“We’re only one game in,” Bowman said. “I told the guys that the season is about responding to good and bad alike.”

This week’s Orange Panther of the Week is senior men’s soccer goalkeeper Finn Kelly. This season, the Panthers made the 3A State Playoffs. It was the second straight year that the Panthers reached the postseason.It is the first time in the 37-year history of the program that Orange has made the state playoffs in consecutive years. At midseason, Kelly had consecutive clean sheets against Cedar Ridge and Person. Against the Red Wolves, Kelly kept the Red Wolves off the scoreboard as the Panthers won the second leg of the Hillsborough Derby. That led to Orange strengthening its position to make the state playoffs. In his final regular season game, Kelly had another clean sheet as the Panthers defeated Eastern Alamance 2-0 at the John Kirby Sports Complex in Mebane. He made three saves to earn the win. Kelly has trained with the North Carolina Football Club Academy in Cary, members of the United Soccer League Championship. This season, Kelly had four clean sheets for Orange, who finished 8-8-3 overall. The Panthers finished 6-4-3 in the Central Conference. Kelly will graduate from Orange in June. He finished the 2023 season with 132 saves. Kelly earned a win on opening night when Orange defeated the Durham School of the Arts 2-1 in downtown Durham.

Orange Panther of the Week: Finn Kelly

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