NORMAN — Under gale-force wind conditions, the Norman High girls continued their soccer resurgence Thursday night at the NHS Soccer Complex, taking care of Yukon 1-0.
“Wind was a huge factor. It was awful,” NHS coach Bob Byers said. “The girls played really well defensively.”
NHS outshot the Millers 11 to 3.
Going into the wind in the first half, the Tigers managed to keep the ball out of the net. With the wind, though it was much harder on Yukon, getting the ball corralled remained an issue.
The Tigers avoided overtime by getting a goal from Shiloh Farris that was assisted by Ally Renfroe in the 70th minute. Jordan Taylor made three saves to make Farris’ tally stand up.
NHS moved to 6-1 on the season, the only loss coming to Bentonville, Ark., at an out-of-state tournament.
E. Memorial 3, North 1
Norman North girls soccer coach T.C. Flanders liked the passion her Timberwolves displayed Thursday night on the North pitch, just not the result.
“We just didn’t connect like we needed to do,” she said “We were fighting. We were working hard … I don’t think we played well with the wind and Edmond Memorial just capitalized with it.”
North got its only goal 17 minutes into the game, opening the scoring when Rachel Hare found the net unassisted. The lead held until Memorial found the net three times in 12 minutes.
Memorial owned an 18 to 8 shot advantage.
Boys E. Memorial 1, North 0
First-year Norman North boys coach Geo Claros has been displeased with victory this season, believing the Timberwolves could have played much better. Now his squad has a loss to deal with.
Memorial’s Stuart Turnipseed found the net just 4 minutes into the game and the single goal stood up.
“It was a backbreaker to give up the early goal,” Claros said. “It gave them all the confidence in the world to win … We couldn’t get a bounce in the wind.”
North outshot Memorial 5 to 3, but Claros thought his squad only “created about two really good chances.”
