Norman — Norman High soccer girls soccer coach Bob Byers has had all kinds of success as Tiger coach. Still, early in any season, it’s often a long list of things he feels his team must improve upon.
That probably hasn’t changed.
The bigger point, though, is he was really quite pleased with how his squad performed opening night … even if took a shootout to get past Westmoore.
“I thought we played well,” Byers said. “I thought we got a little tired in the end, but every team is behind right now, or they should be, unless they have an indoor practice facility.
Tied at a goal each after Jaguar striker Lauren Vabolis scored in the 80th minute, the Tigers made it a 2-1 victory when all five of their shooters found the twine against Jag keeper Alexis Richards after overtime failed to settle things.
Chandler Murphy, Ally Renfroe, Katie Koonce, Hayley St. John and Shiloh Farris were all successful in the shootout.
“It was just a typically scrappy NHS-Westmoore game,” Byers said. “Those games are always scrappy.”
Though all of NHS’ shootout shooters came through, the hero might have been Tiger keeper Jordan Taylor, who was one better than her Westmoore counterpart.
The Jags’ fourth kicker went high to Taylor’s right. Taylor took one step before tipping the ball over the crossbar. It was the difference in the game.
It was also the end of a big game for Taylor, who finished with nine saves, four more than Richards.
Norman High got its goal in the 49th minute when Mackenzie Burkhart played a ball served by Lauren Goodman and beat Richards low and right.
The NHS girls are on the road Friday, playing their first game of the Northwest Arkansas Showcase, in Bentonville, Ark.
Deer Creek 6, Norman North 5
The Antlers and Timberwolves put on an opening-night show Tuesday, combining on 10 goals, six in the second half and three in the final 8 minutes.
The Antlers, Class 5A’s defending state champions, with most of their starters back, prevailed in a shootout that went to extra kickers.
North trailed 3-1 at the half only to lead 4-3 with 8 minutes remaining, only to finish regulation tied 5-5.
The T-Wolves got two goals from both Kenzie Sublett and Rachel Klubeck. Olivia Raiber also scored a goal. Sublett added two assists.
North is back on its home pitch to meet Yukon at 6 p.m. Friday.
Boys Norman High 2, Westmoore 1
The NHS boys are back to their old tracks, carrying the action laughably outshooting their opponent … and getting away with a narrow victory.
The Tigers took care of the Jaguars on the strength of first-half goals Dacota Sanor and Cal Cornwell. Cornwell also picked up the assist on Sanor’s tally.
NHS outshot Westmoore 32 to 8. Westmoore keeper Christian Trench kept it close, making 14 saves.
A goal from Westmoore’s Tanner Sparks in the 76th minute had the Tigers holding their breath down the stretch.
Norman North 5, Deer Creek 1
First-year North and first-time varsity coach Gio Claros picked up his first victory Tuesday night over the Antlers.
Claros liked the way his squad finished, something it had struggled to do in preseason scrimmages and something made harder by the absence of Jack Coleman, who is now playing for FC Dallas’ under-18 U.S. Soccer Development Academy team.
Taylor McAuley led North two goals. Will Smith had a goal and an assist. Brandon Littleaxe and Matt Ward also scored goals.
North outshot Deer Creek 12-3.
Clay Horning 366-3526 cfhorning@normantranscript.com
