The Huskies fall via penalty shootout in a game riddled with drama
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Edmond North’s Stokley Fudge drives the ball up field in front of Capitol Hill’s Charles Burrow Friday night. Photo by Drew Harmon. -
Capitol Hill’s Richard Solis and Edmond North’s Maximo Elizondo Caldera battle for a ball Friday night. Photo by Drew Harmon. -
Edmond North’s Kaden Dickman drives the ball up field against Capitol Hill on Friday night. Photo by Drew Harmon. -
Edmond North’s Holden Richardson works with the ball against Capitol Hill on Friday night. Photo by Drew Harmon. -
Edmond North goalkeeper Jesus Ramirez returns a ball into play Friday night against Capitol Hill. Photo by Drew Harmon. -
Edmond North’s Reese McManis works against Capitol Hill on Friday night. Photo by Drew Harmon. -
Edmond North players, from left, Maximo Elizondo Caldera, Adam Froehlich and Wylie Smith defend a Capitol Hill kick Friday night. Photo by Drew Harmon. -
Edmond North’s Corban Mullins centers the ball in front of the Capitol Hill goal Friday night. Photo by Drew Harmon. -
Edmond North’s Asher Pickard and a Capitol Hill defender try to head the ball Friday night. Photo by Drew Harmon -
Edmond North’s Stokley Fudge works against Capitol Hill defenders Friday night. Photo by Drew Harmon.
It took two overtime periods and a miscount from the officials but eventually, Edmond North’s boys’ soccer game versus Capitol Hill came to a late conclusion Friday night.
The Huskies fell to the Red Wolves in a penalty shootout, 0-0 (3-2), after the first 80 minutes of action saw no score from either side. Not even 20 additional minutes of golden goal could decide a victor.
Friday’s contest was marked by its defense, with both teams doing a stellar job at keeping the ball out of their nets thanks to aggressive and physical play. There were just seven shots total that were on frame all night (five from Edmond North and two from Capitol Hill) and only one in the first half.
The game was also marked by the drama that ensued as the night progressed. Tension built in the stadium as each team continued to match the other’s physicality, resulting in almost 30 penalties in total. Every free ball was fought over with plenty of shoving and jersey grabbing, upsetting players and spectators alike.
The tension eventually boiled over into full on screaming between fans and game/school officials, with one Edmond North spectator being asked to leave and the police being called in order to keep the peace.
Drama even marred the PK period when an officiating blunder caused the game to be called prematurely. The refs incorrectly declared Capitol Hill the winners after Juan Hernandez made the team’s second kick to lead 2-1. Penalty shootouts in high school soccer are typically best of five, so the Red Wolves needed three makes to win.
Officials realized their mistake after Edmond North coaches and players pleaded their case. The already celebrating Capitol Hill players were forced to return to midfield to complete the shootout as fans from both sides were becoming impatient with the referees, who had been the subject of gripes all night up to that point.
Edmond North tied it up 2-2 on the following attempt, giving Capitol Hill the opportunity to win (again) with one more make. Hugo Quintana put in the game-winning goal past Huskies’ goalkeeper Jesus Ramirez and into the back of the net as the Red Wolves were able to celebrate for real this time.
The Huskies suffer their first district loss of the season and are now tied with Bishop McGuinness for second in District 6A-1. They drop to 6-4 overall with an Edlam battle against Edmond Santa Fe up next on Tuesday, April 16.