The Knoxville Soccer Squads split their matches with Carlisle as both Panthers opened the season and hit the pitch for the first time in 675 days. The boys got a hat trick from Emmett Schmidt and defeated the Wildcats 3-2. Carlisle scored first on a penalty kick 12 minutes into the match, but Schmidt nailed the first of his three also on a penalty kick with 6:30 remaining in the first half to tie it at one. After an early Carlisle goal in the second half Schmidt hit on goals with 17:53 left to tie and got the eventual winning goal with 14:40 left. Schmidt told KNIA/KRLS Sports after a sluggish first half, he thought the team came out more aggressive in the second half.

Schmidt:
“I think in the first half we started out a little lazy maybe nonchalant, through the midfield and back line, but in the second half we got our energy back and came out more aggressive and that’s what turned things around.”

Meanwhile, in Carlisle, the girls fell 5-2. Goals by Hannah Linsley and Janae Baker tallied for Knoxville and Taylor Jones assisted on both goals. The boys are 1-0 and will travel to Bondurant-Farrar tonight while the girls are 0-1 and will host Newton in their home opener tonight at Ken Locke Stadium.