PANORA — Freshman Audrey Cmelik had a hat trick Wednesday to lift Panorama over a determined Kuemper Catholic squad in their Class 1A Region 2 Quarterfinal.[wpedon id=”82220″ align=”center”]
The win sends Panorama (12-4) to a Friday contest at second-ranked Gilbert (13-2). The opposite side of the bracket has No. 7 Treynor (14-0) facing Tri-Center (10-4). The Regional Final is Monday at a site still to be determined.
Cmelik gave the hosts a 1-0 lead, only to have the Knights (9-7) tie the match shortly afterwards. Ella Waddle gave Panorama a 2-1 lead with her 14th goal of the season, but Kuemper scored the next two goals of the game to move in front, 3-2.
Cmelik used an assist from sister and fellow freshman Paige to tie the game at 3-all, then scored off Paige’s ninth assist of the season to win the contest and set off a wild celebration. The goal was the 25th of the year for Audrey.
Panorama head coach Curt Thornberry noted sophomore goalie Ashley Clark’s play, remarking that she made several key saves. He also praised the defensive efforts of Bryn Steffen, Jensen Wilke and Erica Block for strong play, while stressing the pressure applied by the Knights required his entire team to play well.
Friday’s foe, Gilbert, will take the best effort of the season from the Panther, Thornberry said. The Tigers have lost only to Class 2A No. 8 ADM, 1-0, and at Norwalk, 2-1. They have allowed only four goals all season, the last coming in a 2-1 win over North Polk.
“They are as good as there is, but I think that when we are playing well on all levels we can be tough to handle,” Thornberry said. “It will take our best effort, for sure, but we are going up there with the attitude that we are going to play well, and I think we will.”
