Otters Top SSA Kings Behind Goals from Ortiz and Panter

The Otters were able to notch their second straight victory on Wednesday night, knocking off the SSA Kings behind two second half goals from Agu Ortiz (Anderson) and David Panter (Hastings). The win moves the Otters into fifth place, just one point behind fourth place. The Otters play their final home game of the 2022 season TOMORROW NIGHT, July 8th. Kickoff is set for 7:00 PM at TVA Credit Union Ballpark. Buy tickets ahead of time online and skip the lines on game day with easy scan and go entry. Tickets are already on sale at ottersoccer.com and HappsNow!

From the opening whistle the Otters were pushing for a goal and did not relent for the entire game, recording 16 shots, their most of the season. The Otters nearly had the opener just 10 minutes into the game when Panter redirected a William Stallworth (Montreat) shot into the goal, but he was called offsides.

The attacking theme continued throughout the first half, but the SSA goalkeeper was able to make several great saves to deny chances from Sebastian Borquez (Rio Grande), Conal Gallagher (UIS), and Edin Hernandez (Montevallo). Defensively, the Otters used the same backline from the match against Tormenta and once again eliminated all serious threats to record their second straight shutout.

Despite the numerous chances, the game went into halftime scoreless. SSA came out of the locker room and controlled the first few minutes of the second half, however their best chance was collected by Jasper Rump (Coker) in goal to deny the visitors a goal.

The Otters relentless attack paid off in the 73rd minute when Borquez got Panter in behind the SSA backline, who then slipped a ball across the box to a streaking Agu Ortiz who scored the easy finish to give the Otters 1–0 lead.

Not content to just kill the game off, the Otters continued looking for a another goal. Early into stoppage time, Gallagher hit a booming long ball to the opposite corner that Ortiz was able to run under and control in the far corner, 1-v-1 with his defender. Ortiz was able to plant his defender on the ground and sprint into the box where Panter was able to make a tough finish on the cross from Ortiz to clinch all three points for the Otters.

The final home game of the season will be Friday, July 8th, when they face the Dalton Red Wolves at 7 PM inside TVA Credit Union Ballpark. Tickets are on sale now at ottersoccer.com! Be sure to follow the Otters (@ottersoccer) on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to stay up to date on all things Otters year round! #FearTheFur