Orange High School

Orange Soccer Surprises Chapel Hill 2-1

The Orange boys soccer team picked a good time to pull an upset.

The Panthers defeated Chapel Hill 2-1 on Monday night in Hillsborough, handing the Tigers its first loss in Big 8 play this season. The Panthers improve to 9-8-1. More importantly, they’re 5-4 in the Big 8 Conference, good enough for 3rd place. The top three finishers in the Big 8 automatically qualify for the state playoffs.

“I am extremely proud of our group tonight,” said Orange coach Palmer Bowman. “They played with great energy and effort, and were able to come out on top. Chapel Hill is an incredibly strong side. They are very skilled, well-coached, and play quality soccer. We were fortunate enough to catch some breaks and make the most of the opportunities that we got during the game.”

Orange opened with a goal from Henry Guevara-Alfaro in the 42nd minute. The Panthers received insurance from Malcolm Phillips during the second half.

It was Guevara-Alfaro’s seventh goal of the year. Phillips earned his 2nd goal of the season.

Chapel Hill responded with a goal in the 74th minute, but Orange goalkeeper Noah Miller stood strong down the stretch to pave the way for a Panther result.

“You have to tip your hat to Chapel Hill,” said Bowman. “They played a man-down for 3/4 of the game and continued to create chances. We were fortunate to put a few away and hold on at the end. Malcolm Phillips and Henrry Guevara scored some very timely goals, and our defense weathered the storm to ensure the win.”

In its last three games against Chapel Hill, the Tigers had outscored the Panthers 21-0, including a 6-0 loss earlier this year.

The Orange soccer program started in 1988. MaxPreps.com doesn’t list any past Orange teams having defeated the Tigers.

Orange Volleyball wins on Senior Night over Northwood 3-0

The Orange Panthers wrapped up a birth in the state playoffs by sweeping Northwood 3-0 on senior night at Jim King Gymnasium on Thursday night.

The Panthers, under first-year head coach Christina Carinci, finish the regular season 13-8, 8-3 in the Big 8 Conference. Orange finished 2nd in the Big 8, second only to Cedar Ridge.

Varisty Match Score:
Orange 3 – Northwood 0

Varsity Game Scores (Orange first):
25-17
25-19
25-15

Orange High School Stat Leaders:
Andie McKinnon – 1 ace, 13 kills, 2 assists, 10 digs
Kayla Durham – 4 aces, 11 kills, 2 assists, 3 digs
Jordan Lloyd – 1 ace, 18 digs
Caroline Compton – 1 ace, 18 assists, 3 digs
Julia Lovingood – 2 aces, 15 assists, 4 digs

Northwood High School Stat Leaders:
unknown

JV Match Score
Orange 2 – Northwood 0

JV Game Scores (Orange first):
25-19
25-22

Chapel Hill volleyball rallies past Orange 3-2

The Chapel Hill Tigers defeated Orange 3-2 at Jim King Gymnasium in Hillsborough on Tuesday night. With the loss, the Panthers fall to 12-8, 7-3 in the Big 8.

After dropping the first set to the Tigers 25-23, Orange fought back to take the second and third sets 25-22 and 25-19, respectively. Chapel Hill won the fourth set 25-23, and took the match 15-11.

Orange returns to action at home on Thursday night for senior night when they face Northwood.

Here are the updated Big 8 standings:

Cedar Ridge 10-0

Orange 7-3

Webb 5-3

Chapel Hill 6-4

Northwood 3-5

Northern Vance 1-8

Southern Durham 0-9

Orange Panther of the Week: Drew Lemaster

Orange running back/linebacker Drew Lemaster has been among the players coach Pat Moser has relied on over the past two years. The Panthers backfield injuries have piled up, with Jackson Schmid, Eryk Brandon-Dean and Jett Satterfield all suffering injuries. Lemaster has been the constant, scoring ten touchdowns so far this year. He also plays reguarly at linebacker, like his older brother Jack, who graduated last year. Lemaster had a career high 110 yards rushing against Northwood as the Panthers are off to a 7-1 start, 2-1 in the Big 8.

Orange soccer gets 2 goals from Rodriguez, rallies past Vikings 2-1

The Ornage soccer team trailed 1-0 with 15:00 remaining on Monday night against Northern Vance, who were searching for its first Big 8 conference win of the year. But Alfredo Rodriguez wouldn’t let Orange lose.

Rodriguez scored the game-winner with 6:12 remaining to give Orange a 2-1 victory over the Vikings. Rodriguez notched the equalizer on a rebound with 13:29 left.

Northern Vance nearly scored an equalizer or their own, but Noah Miller rose his hands inside the 6-yard box to save the lead.

Woth the win, Orange remains in third place in the Big 8, behind first place Chapel Hill and Cedar Ridge. The Panthers face Southern Durham in Wednesday. If Orange finishes third, they’ll make the playoffs.

Listen to Alfredo and Noah discuss the victory below.

Hill, Lemaster score 2 TDs as Panthers roll past Vikings 48-0

The Orange Panthers scored on its first seven possessions as they routed Northern Vance 49-0 on Homecoming night at Auman Stadium.

Alex Long and Drew Lemaster each scored two touchdowns. Chris Eubanks and Cody Evans scored their first varsity touchdowns as quarterback Jackson Schmid went 10-for-17 for 140 yards and three touchdowns.

With the win, Orange (7-1, 2-1 in the Big 8) posted its second straight shutout. Since losing to Southern Durham two weeks ago, the Panthers haven’t yielded a point in eight quarters.

The Panthers started the game with a 12-play, 85 yard drive that ended when Schmid hit Long with a 18-yard touchdown pass.

On the subsequent kickoff, Eubanks recovered a fumble at the Vikings 30-yard line. Four plays later, Lemaster scored from three yards out.

Lemaster scored with :04 remaining in the first quarter on a two-yard run. Francisco McKinley added the extra point to push the Orange lead to 21-0.

In the second quarter, Schmid scored his first varsity rushing touchdown on a quarterback sneak. After the Panther defense posted a three-and-out, Schmid hit Long with a six-yard touchdown pass in the right corner of the end zone.

After Marvante Beasley recovered another fumble on the ensuing kickoff, Schmid immediately hit Evans with a 30-yard touchdown pass.

Eubanks scored the final touchdown of the game late in the second quarter on a 20-yard scamper.

The second half was played with a running clock. Landon Riley created and recovered a fumble on the Vikings opening drive of the 2nd half. Mitchell Lopeman intercepted a pass on the final play of the game.

Northern Vance was held to two first downs, 77 total yards and crossed the 50-yard line once.

Since losing to Northern Vance in 2010, the Panthers have won the last five meetings by a combined score of 254-26.

Orange Volleyball Remains in 2nd in Big 8 with 3-0 Win over Southern Durham

The Orange volleyball team won its second straight game on Thursday night, downing Southern Durham 3-0.

The Panthers remain in 2nd place in the Big 8 conference with three crucial matches remaining next week. With Cedar Ridge winning the Big 8 regular season championship, the Panthers can still finish 2nd and gain a home match for the state playoffs. Orange remains a match-and-a-half ahead of third place Webb, who will host the Panthers to finish the regular season October 20th.

Varsity Game Scores (Orange first):
25-7
25-10
26-24

Orange High School Stat Leaders:
Faith Foushee -1 ace, 1 kill, 1 assist, 9 digs
Caroline Compton – 3 aces, 1 kill, 25 assists
Emma Jager – 1 ace, 4 kills, 1 block, 1 dig
Blair Gattis – 2 aces, 6 kills, 2 digs