by NORTH OLMSTED, OH – The Eagles dominated the pace from start to finish in a convincing 3-2 win over the visiting Laurel Gators to advance to the second round of the playoffs. It was 3-0 until the closing moments when the Gators put two in to make it close on the final scoreboard in a game controlled by the Eagles. Khunnita Chamroeun scored twice in the win for the Eagles, while freshman Amaya Capps put one in as well.
The Eagles had a corner kick chances just 7 minutes into play but the header was deflected, giving them another shot at it. The second chance proved to be non-threatening as well, keeping the game knotted up 0-0 in the 8th minute. The first Eagles shot on frame came in the 10th minute by Delaney Macke but was turned away by Sydnee Robinson. Only moments later the Eagles had yet another straight on chance, but a mild collision right near the net, turned it back over to the Gators in the 13th.
A cross into a header came up short in the 15th for the Eagles as once again Robinson was there to swipe it away. A free kick in the 18th prevented another fine chance for the Eagles to score. They went to the left and tried to hit a quick one two, but it was once again shutdown by Robinson for her fifth save of the first half.
After dominating time of possession for the first 25 minutes, the Eagles finally put one in when Khunnita Chamroeun blasted one past the Gators. This score was set up perfectly Delaney Macke who placed the cross perfectly for the Eagles to take advantage in the 25th minute of action. The score held up 1-0 until halftime.
Laurel appeared just to lay back and play defense the entire first half, as their goalkeeper had 7 saves on the books. It was a clean first half with zero cards. North Olmsted had 3 corner kicks while the Gators had 0.
The first real threat of the second half for the Eagles, came in the 55th minute when Molitha Chamroeun had a beautiful chance to head one in off the corner kick, but the ball took a sudden left turn and went awry. Anytime the Gators had a chance however, they would send two attackers and drop everyone else back by midfield or further.
Amaya Capps appeared to end all doubt in the 63rd when she took a deflection off a Delaney Macke shot and found the back of the net. It was perfect placement, timing and aggression out of the feisty freshman who is bursting with talent. Capps is a name to write down and remember for this North Olmsted soccer program.
A free kick that began with a kick to the corner, then crossed, found a charging Khunnita Chamroeun who scored again, to put this one on ice at 3-0 with a little over 10 minutes to play. Alex Freeman of the Gators managed to avoid the shutout when she made the most of a one on one with Eagle goalkeeper Brigid Grabowski to score in the 73rd minute.
Then, with fans already headed to the exits, the Gators Kaya Sgro scored, to tighten it up at 3-2 with 2 minutes left to play. Suddenly, we had drama in a game that had appeared to be over. The Eagles went on to close out the victory from there and will now play the Clearview next Monday night.
Goals
NO: Chamroeun in the 25th
NO: Capps in the 63rd
NO: Chamroeun in the 68th
LG: Freeman in the 73rd
LG: Srgo in the 78th
