Max Magana stole the ball away from the goalie and nailed the tying goal with :24 left as Knoxville and Southeast Polk boys soccer squads played to a 2-2 tie Monday night in both team’s season openers. The Panthers got on the scoreboard first when Cael Cook knocked in a goal with 25:48 left in the 1st half to give Knoxville a 1-0 lead. That lead would hold through halftime, but the Rams struck 5:00 into the 2nd half to even the score, and then with 12:37 left in the match scored again to take a 2-1 lead. However, the final 2:00 of the match was intense and at times chippy with both teams coming to blows and a red card issued to a player from both squads. That set the stage for Magana’s heroics when the Southeast Polk goalie lost control of the ball and Magana had a wide open shot. Panthers Coach Dylan Mick told KNIA/KRLS Sports his players never quit and tying Southeast Polk is like a win to his team. Knoxville will host Carlisle on Thursday. Two more Knoxville squads will make their season debuts today as boys track and field will head to Pella Christian while girls soccer will host Indianola in the Panthers season opener. Coach Bethany Johnson tells KNIA/KRLS Sports while she has a mostly inexperienced team, the potential ceiling is very high.

Johnson: “I want to be where we ended last year, we ended on a huge high note. I have a lot of inexperienced girls, but they have a whole lot of potential.”

Action is set to begin at 5:30. Boys and girls golf was scheduled to start their respective seasons with a quad meet at Pine Knolls Country Club today, but that meet has been postponed to Friday.