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Ava Greene (North) defended by Emily Trethaway (Santa Fe) -
Desi Abney (North) with the ball -
Hadley McLanahan readies a free kick -
Remy Redmon (Santa Fe) takes a goal kick
The junior in blue stepped to the spot and let fly a perfect shot to walk off as an Edlam winner.
Junior Desi Abney scored the final penalty as the Edmond North girls’ soccer team defeated Edmond Santa Fe 1-1 (5-4) in a shootout at Husky Stadium Tuesday afternoon.
North (3-1) had to come from behind but was able to get the game to penalties and win.
Santa Fe (0-4) played the Lady Huskies tough but could not hold on.
North coach Ike Emegano said the Lady Huskies fought hard.
“I thought we could have been a little bit sharper, a little bit better in both halves,” Emegano said. “But I’m really excited with the win, really excited with the ways the girls played and performed today.”
After a goalless first half, a cross from Santa Fe freshman Jordan Tanges bounced around a group of three players and ultimately ended up in the net in the 62nd minute. The Lady Wolves led North until the 73rd minute when senior Presley Nelson equalized.
North had a corner kick in the final minute of regulation but was unable to score.
The Lady Huskies scored all five penalties they attempted in the shootout. Abney scored the final penalty to secure the victory.
Emegano said the Lady Huskies have practiced shootouts once or twice, but he just tells his players to be confident.
“It’s a nerve-wracking situation, and everyone understands it,” Emegano said. “Calm your nerves, pick you spot and go and take that shot, and all five girls were able to do that.”
North goalkeeper Ashlyn Lonberg saved two shots, and Santa Fe goalkeeper Remy Redmon saved four.
Emegano said the Lady Huskies winning after falling behind is the sign of a good team.
“I’ve got a resilient group of girls, and they obviously showed that today,” Emegano said. “We went down… but we bounced back, kept fighting, kept our heads up, and we were able to get the equalizing goal.”