The first round of the OHSAA Girls Soccer Tournament kicked off Thursday as teams from around the area began the statewide tournament, setting their sights on playing in the state championship in mid-November inside ScottsMiracle-Gro Field in Columbus.
Like many others, Pickerington North Girls Soccer began its journey Thursday as well, opening with a 1-0 victory over Marysville inside Panther Stadium.
North opened the scoring just seven minutes into the contest.
Sophomore midfielder Emily Morris worked hard to draw a foul after taking hard contact from a Monarch defender. This set up a free-kick opportunity, where Morris lofted a ball to the far side of the six-yard box, finding the boot of senior outside back Abby Smathers, who hammered it into the back of the net to give her team a 1-0 lead.
Marysville looked to claw back into the game, testing the Panther defense throughout the first half. Senior goalkeeper Reagan Green stood tall, making a clutch save in the 17th minute as she dove to her right to keep the Monarchs off the board. Pick North also executed a strong press against the visitors, pouncing on loose balls and beginning its movement up the field with swift efficiency.
In the 50th minute, Morris registered the Panthers’ first shot on frame of the second half. Sophomore classmates Yasmine Shaibu and Brynna Wade continued to apply pressure, with Wade adding a physical component to her game late in the contest that warranted a talking-to from the center referee.
Junior Sydney Rogers attempted to convert on an opportunity from distance but narrowly missed the mark. Her miss didn’t loom large, as the Panther defense held on to secure the 1-0 win and guarantee a date with the Dublin Coffman on October 29.
Kickoff for that matchup is set for 7 p.m.
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