By RYAN WALKER
A heartbreaking defeat occurred for the once red-hot Norwell Knights, who fell to Huntington North 3-2 in penalty kicks.
Norwell (7-8-1, 2-5 NE8) got both of its goals by senior captain Hudson Gerbers. The first was in the first half when Kale Fuess was lined up for a penalty kick in the corner. Fuess faked the shot and let Gerbers swoop in and drill a goal in the corner.
“That was all Hudson,” Norwell head coach Kiel Nunn admitted. “He just took advantage of the moment and saw what was happening. That’s why he’s our captain. That’s why he’s our general out there on the field. He’s aware of those moments and took advantage of a great shot.”
The second was what was supposed to be the dagger. Gerbers struck the second in the low right corner and produced a 2-1 score. But on the ensuing possession, Huntington North (4-10-2, 3-4 NE8) desperately sprinted down the field for a glimmer of hope. Long story short, it got just the opportunity it needed.
Norwell’s defense had an opportunity to kick the ball out of reach and force a hand pass from the sideline, according to Nunn, but they tried to control the ball in their favor. The Vikings stole the ball back and forced a corner kick with 10 seconds.
A high towering pass gave the Vikings a header perfectly on net and scored with 5.6 lit up on the Knights’ scoreboard.
“The smart play would have been to just kick it out and let them get a throw-in,” Nunn said. “We get a chance to defend, we move on, we hold them and I think we win that game.”
The two seven-minute overtimes solved nothing, heading into penalty kicks.
The visitors shot first and connected both times to begin. Norwell’s Eli Randol missed just left and Fuess hit the top of the crossbar, sucking the life out of the Knights.
The Vikings scored their third shot as well, putting the Knights in a must-make scenario — all while hoping Huntington North missed the next two. Noah Schamerloh made Norwell’s first, but Huntington North took the fourth and clinched the victory.
The Vikings stormed the field on a night that was supposed to be Norwell’s on its Senior Night.
“That was a tough loss,” Nunn said. “We had it in hand under a minute. Kudos on (Huntington North) for not quitting, not giving up. Just a mental breakdown and the next thing you know, we’re in overtime.”
Norwell was just on the brink of some late-season magic. A win over the Vikings would put them over .500, winning five of their last six games.
Instead, only Blackford remains on the schedule, who is 2-9 this year.
Luckily, the Knights can get back on their feet with a favorable sectional draw. Sunday night the bracket revealed Norwell will face Woodlan (6-7-1) and have a path to face Manchester or Heritage — both of which Norwell has defeated and will avoid the only schools with winning records in the field, Concordia and Bishop Luers.
Norwell will host Blackford at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 3.
In the junior varsity game, Huntington North won 2-1. Simon Isch scored the lone goal for Norwell.
ryan@news-banner.com
