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Norwin outlasts Fox Chapel in action packed thriller, 4-3, in overtime

In a seven-goal thriller, Norwin outlasted Fox Chapel, 4-3, as Eva Frankovic’s golden goal in overtime was the difference to help the Knights advance to yet another WPIAL Class 4A semifinal appearance. 

This match featured multiple lead changes, and a lot of up-and-down excitement, as the top-seeded Norwin was pushed to the limit by the 8th-seeded Foxes. 

HOW IT HAPPENED 

Norwin and Fox Chapel turned up the excitement level early and often in an exciting WPIAL girls Class 4A quarterfinal contest.

Three goals were scored in the games opening five minutes.  

Paloma Swankler scored just 2:39 into the game to take the early lead for Norwin. 

Fox Chapel’s Britta Legerquist responded quickly, just a minute later, burying a header on a corner from Claudia Demartino to tie it up just seconds to tie it up at 1-1. 

A mere minute and a half later, on a cross, Kennedy Soliday’s clinical finish put Norwin back in the lead, 2-1. 

Fox Chapel would not go away. 

Norwin continued playing a high pressing style, but the Foxes persisted. 

A long ball played from Fox Chapel’s defensive half would see a foot race between Norwin’s keeper Liz Waszkiewicz and Fox Chapel’s Lucy Ream. Ream would win the race and head a bouncing ball over Waszkiewicz and into the net to make it 2-2 with just under seven minutes left in the first half.

With both teams now pushing for the go-ahead goal, the first big chance in the second half would come from Fox Chapel’s Sophia Williams in the 47th minute, when she beat Norwin keeper Waszkiewicz to a loose ball in the box.  Williams’ shot went just wide of the open net.

Williams continued to threaten and pressure Norwin, adding another blast on goal that Waszkiewicz handled. 

Norwin had a great chance to take the lead on a corner in the 68th minute on a corner attempt and ensuing battle for the ball that followed. As the ball danced around a body of players for both Fox Chapel and Norwin, it would be followed by a blast inside the six and a return shot blocked.

Finally, in the 72nd minute, Fox Chapel’s Kaylee Uribe would find a loose ball minutes and slide it through a forest of legs to the far post to make 3-2. 

Top-seeded Norwin were on the ropes, but they would respond. 

A minute later, Abby Bartos pounced on a loose ball in the box — to tied the contest again — at 3-3.

Both teams would try and generate opportunities in the closing minutes of regulation, but neither could find that last great chance and would head to overtime.

Extra time would not disappoint as each teams were flying up and down the field. 

Norwin earned back to back corners. 

On the second one, they put the game away, and stayed alive for another WPIAL Class 4A title shot.  

Megan Dietz took the corner which was chested-down by Bartos, then buried by Pitt commit Eva Frankovic for the golden goal. 

Norwin now moves onto to the semi-finals to face Seneca Valley, who beat Moon on Thursday, at site to be determined on Saturday.

Glory on the Grass

Riverhounds MF Kenardo Forbes

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