The Russellville soccer team played its last game of the regular season Thursday night, looking for a win to carry them into the district tournament on an upswing.

The Panthers broke loose with a five-goal offensive explosion to capture a 5-4 victory over visiting Grayson County.

The Panthers first scored in the 30th minute, when Cameron Blythe pounded a shot into the Grayson County net and Russellville had the early lead. Two minutes later, Grayson County tied the score on a direct kick and the score was 1-1.

Grayson later scored again to go up 2-1.

Defense took control for the next nine minutes until Grayson County committed a hand ball violation in the box and Russellville had a penalty kick. Blythe spotted the ball, picked his spot, and shot a missile ball pass the Grayson goalkeeper and the Panthers had tied the score at 2-2.

The tie was short lived as Grayson scored at the 1:09 mark to give them a 3-2 lead into half time. The Panthers had 3 shots on goal for the half while Grayson County converted 3 of 8 shots on goal.

In the second half, the Panther defense stepped up the pace of attach and the Grayson offense were on their heels. The defensive pressure was constant, tough, aggressive and hard-hitting. While the Panther defense was controlling the rhythm of the game, the Panther offensive kicked into high gear.

Eliot Wheat broke away and blasted the ball into the Grayson net, and Russellville had the tied the score at 3-3. Less that five minutes later, Charles Woodard scored on a header shot and Russellville had it's first lead of the half at 4-3.

But the Panthers weren't finished yet.

With seven minutes left, Woodard scored his second goal of the evening. He scored after receiving a pass from Blythe and the Panthers took a 5-3 lead.

That score proved to be the game-winner as Grayson scored with 4:02 left in the game to cut the lead to one goal, but could not over take the Panther lead.

Russellville ended the regular season 5-9-3.

The victory now gives the Panthers momentum headed into district tournament play.

Prior to the game, Hill Rowland was honored as the lone Senior on the Panther team.

Hill was injured in the sixth game of the season and was sidelined the remainder of the schedule. Unable to play, Rowland continued to demonstrate leadership and Panther Pride to his teammates on the field.