OSCODA - May 4, 2009 - Standish-Sterling's girls soccer team took just 16 seconds to score at Oscoda on Monday, setting the tone for a 3-1 non-conference victory over the Owls.

The Panthers took the opening kickoff, with Danielle Milan providing a cross from the right side to Shelby Gainforth for the quick-strike goal.

"We were not in the right frame of mind before the game even started," said Oscoda coach Gary Schneider. "They just plain wanted the ball more than we did tonight."

Still, Oscoda tied the score on Chelsea Carraway's goal off a Krystin Inman corner kick midway through the first half.

The score stayed tied until the final five minutes.

"We played choppy the rest of the first half (after the opening goal)," said SSC coach John Rudberg. "The second half was much better for us, more consistent pressure and did a better job of controlling play."

Karina Pierce broke the tie with five minutes left, knocking in another Milan cross. Pierce added as second goal two minutes later, with Ashley Wakulat picking up the assist.

"Courtney Pierce played the best game of her career and Karina, Danielle, and Madison Astorga had real good games for our side," Rudberg said. "We got more shots off and had more good scoring chances than we’ve had in a while. I was real happy with that because Oscoda has a good keeper and Katia Kotula is an excellent defender for them."

Megan Jurek had 10 saves for the Panthers (2-7-2).

Oscoda (4-6) had Nicole Jackson make 11 saves, with Kotula making 24 intercepts and five steals and Katy Peacock adding 11 steals and 10 intercepts.