Oklahoma HS girls soccer: Norman North tops Edmond North in double OT in 6A semifinals
Norman North soccer star Narissa Fults got the ball from Presley Boyd in double overtime against Edmond North and knew she had a golden opportunity to be the hero.
It had been a while since Norman North’s offense had a chance like this, and the Timberwolves had the right person controlling the ball in the crucial situation.
After all, Fults — a junior Arizona commit — is one of the top players in the state.
As she got closer to the goal, she felt confident she’d come through.
“It was me 1 v. 1, so you gotta make that,” Fults said.
That’s exactly what happened.
Fults sent her shot through the back of the net with 6:54 left in double overtime, giving the Timberwolves a 2-1 victory Tuesday in the Class 6A semifinals at Edmond North’s football stadium.
A gritty back-and forth battle, this was Norman North’s second one-goal victory against the Huskies.
In their first matchup of the season on March 9, Norman North — which will face Jenks for the title — won 3-2.
Tuesday’s game again showed how evenly matched these teams are, but Norman North (17-0) did just enough to escape with the victory and keep its perfect season intact.
“When we get to this point, it’s pretty wishy-washy soccer wise, let me tell you,” Norman North coach Trevor Laffoon said. “I mean, I don’t think either team played great soccer.”
Norman North struck first Tuesday as Makenna Boyd maneuvered through a crowded group near the goal on a corner kick from Boyd and sent it through in the first half.
Rylee McLanahan tied it for Edmond North (12-3) with a goal in the second half, and it was a defensive battle until Fults’ game-winner.
Norman North went through a rough stretch and things looked bleak at times, but the Timberwolves showed their resiliency.
“I just think we worked hard,” said Norman North senior captain Preslee Amick, a Washburn signee. “We battled 50-50 balls, and I mean it was a close game as you guys saw. … It was all about grit tonight I think, and we just really had to push through.”
The final goal was fitting for Norman North.
Fults has been stellar throughout the year, and although Edmond North did a solid job of containing her, Fults still found a way to deliver in the clutch moment.
“I think that Narissa is probably, as far as 1 v. 1, going at players, she’s the most athletic player in the state,” Laffoon said. “She’s done a fantastic job for us.”
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Other girls semifinal results among OKC-area teams on Tuesday
● Yukon lost to Jenks 2-1 in Class 6A. Jenks scored on a penalty kick in double overtime for the victory.
● Bishop McGuinness advanced to the Class 5A finals with a 1-0 win over Claremore and will face Piedmont, which defeated Coweta 2-0.
● Class 3A Oklahoma Christian School beat Sequoyah Claremore 5-4 on penalty kicks following a 2-2 draw and will play Heritage Hall, which defeated Locust Grove 3-1.
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OKC-area boys semifinal results
● Santa Fe South defeated Tulsa Edison 3-1 in Class 5A and will play Tulsa East Central, which beat Bishop McGuinness 3-1.
● Crooked Oak, the defending champion in Class 3A, beat Owasso Rejoice Christian 6-1. The Ruf-Nex will play Heritage Hall in a rematch of last year’s title game. Heritage Hall topped Broken Arrow Summit Christian 5-2.
● In Class 6A, Deer Creek fell to Broken Arrow 3-1, while Northwest Classen lost to Jenks 3-0.
● Bethany lost to Hilldale 2-0 in Class 4A.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma high school girls soccer: 2023 OSSAA state semifinal results
