Junior Noah Gleason was coming up the field and looking for a lane to pass to his fellow teammates. While glancing around, Noah saw the Huskies’ goalkeeper out of place and put up a big shot that was very risky. Noah buried it into the goal and tied up the game at one. This was a huge goal at the end of the first half, but at the end of the game, it was Forest Hills Northern that beat the boys varsity soccer team 2-1 in the opening round of the OK White Conference Tournament.

“It’s always hard to beat a team twice in a season,” head coach Paul Kramer said. “Along with that, it’s your district rival.”

The gauntlet of a regular-season schedule was gone behind the Rangers, as the boys looked towards the postseason beginning with the OK White Conference Tournament. They had to face a familiar face who they played just seven days prior in the Forest Hills Northern Huskies.

The first half was a story of its own. The game was back and forth between both teams with each having great goalkeepers and a great defensive front. At about the 20’ mark–halfway through the first half–the Huskies struck gold. A beautiful corner kick was well-placed for the Huskies and they headed it in for an early 1-0 lead. Later, it was Noah’s turn as he put in a great kick from 35 yards out to tie the game up at 1. It was a very big momentum shifter, as the Rangers went into halftime with a newfound reassurance.

In the second half, yet again it was a battle of both defenses for the Huskies and the Rangers. Sophomore Lance Childers was great in the sticks all night, making great saves and playing an excellent game overall. It was around the 70’ mark when the Huskies struck out of nowhere. It was a big surprise for the Rangers and Lance was caught in a tough spot. He had no choice but to play the ball and it got past him and into the net. The Huskies held on to that 2-1 lead to win a big game despite a last-second chance off a free kick by the Rangers. 

“I was very proud of the effort the boys gave,” Kramer said. “We adapted after a couple of injuries and we will learn for the next game.”

After the loss, the Rangers will face Greenville, a team they beat 6-0 earlier this season. This will be at home on Wednesday, October 6 at 6:45 PM at Ranger Stadium.