By Simon Lippert
Rochester Century handed Northfield its fourth consecutive loss to start the season with a 6-2
victory at Memorial Field in Northfield.
The Panthers (4-1-1, 3-0 Big 9) got on the board first with a shot from the top of the box during
the 19th minute. For most of the first half the Panthers held the majority of possession and were
moving the ball well but the defense by the Raiders (0-4, 0-3 Big 9) kept them in striking
distance. In the 29th minute the Raiders had a throw in close to the right corner box on the
Panthers side of the field. Senior Midfielder Malcolm Poole threw it into senior Wingback
Rueben Menk. Menk quickly played in what looked to be a hard cross to the back of the box but
turned out to be a great shot that continued to carry over the goalie into the top left corner of the
net. This was the Raiders first goal of the season and put them even with the Panthers at 1-1.
Not even thirty seconds later Century quickly dribbled the ball down the field and put another
one behind the net stunning the Raiders and putting the Panthers up 2-1. About three minutes
later the Panthers tagged on another goal making it 3-1 at the half.
Rueben Menk’s goal
In the second half the Panthers put up three more goals making that six for them for the game
and putting it nearly out of reach. Century managed these goals with a strong attack and fast
players making it hard for the Raiders to keep up and take away the ball. They continued to put
pressure on the Raiders defense and eventually it just became too much. The Raiders did
manage to score a second goal in the second half during the 68th Minute. Senior Forward
Manny Ramirez pushed the ball down the middle of the field into the Panthers side of the field
and was able to find Senior Forward Garrison Giza on the Right Wing sprinting towards the net.
Ramirez put the pass through and Giza put it in the back of the net with his left foot. The two
goals were a bright spot for the Raiders as these were their first two of the season which means
good things are ahead.
You can catch the Raiders in action next against the Lakeville South Cougars at 1PM at
Memorial Field.