The season is underway for Highlands men’s soccer.
On Thursday, Aug. 14, the Highlanders traveled to Franklin to kick off the year with their in-county rivals. After several blowout losses to the Panthers in recent years, the visitors held their own in a narrow 4-2 defeat.
Franklin controlled possession early at Macon Middle School, scoring the game’s first goal in the 16th minute and its second just two minutes later. Just a minute after that the Panthers nearly made it 3-0, but were thwarted at point-blank range by goalkeeper Chase Kenter.
In the 29th minute Alex Barranco dispossessed Franklin near midfield, and found fellow senior Isaiah Vilardo with a pass into open space. From 25 yards Vilardo sent a shot to Franklin’s far post, but was turned away by the Panther keeper. Franklin defended their 2-0 lead until halftime.
Senior Aniah McKim made the play of the match early in the second, intercepting a Panther pass near midfield, dribbling through several defenders to Franklin’s goal and finding the inside of the far post to halve the Panther lead. McKim nearly equalized a few minutes later, but just missed Franklin’s near post from 25 yards.
With 18 minutes to play Franklin earned some valuable insurance, scoring on a tough shot from a difficult angle to re-double their lead. Highlands answered less than three minutes later however, winning a free kick near midfield and finding Conner Hughes open in the box. The senior scored on a running volley to cut Franklin’s lead to 3-2.
Franklin ultimately had the last laugh, scoring from the top of Highlands’ box with eight minutes to play. The Panthers defended their two-goal lead to the final whistle.
After their hard-fought loss at Franklin, Highlands continued a three-match road trip to start the season, traveling to Pisgah Aug. 20 and Smoky Mountain Aug. 25 before hosting Madison in their home opener Aug. 27.
- Will Woolever
sports@thefranklinpress.com