TSCH 97 Richardson won the Norman Classic this past weekend with a 3 win and 1 tie record. Playing in a 5 team group, the 97’s opened the tournament with a 4-2 win over the Cholita Strikers from Wichita in very windy conditions. The 97’s goals came from Rachel Van Fosson ( from a penalty), Camrie Hurst and a brace from Rylee Graham that included a great individual goal where Rylee robbed a Cholita defender, beat another before placing the ball in the upper 90 for a great finish. In the second game, played on Saturday night, the 97’s took on the South Lake Cosmos 97’s again in very windy conditions. Both teams stryggled to come to terms with the conditions in the early part of the game. TSCH 97 took the lead with a goal from Camry Hurst playing into the wind and held the lead at the half time break. Playing with the advantage of a strong wind in the second half, TSCH 97 dominated both the conditions and the opposition to add goals from Abbey Rutherford (direct from a corner !) and a double from Allie Kennedy.

On a very windy Sunday morning, the third game was against OFC 97 and the game was won by 3 goals to nil. Playing into a strong wind, TSCH took the lead after a short corner played to Kay Chapman ended up in the net after Kay’s shot was deflected into the net. Taking a 1-0 lead into the second half and playing with a strong wind, TSCH put the game beyond the reach of OFC 97 with a brace of goals from Caitlin Moore. The first came from a free kick and the second was a long range shot after a great surging run from midfield. The last game was against Norman Fury 97 and the TSCH 97’s only needed a tie to take the championship. Despite conceding an early goal from a corner and playing into a strong wind, the TSCH 97’s played a very attacking brand of football. Driven on from midfield by game MVP Abbey Rutherford, TSCH dominated possession but could not get the vital score. The goal finally arrived late in the second half when a free kick from Abbey Rutherford caused the Fury keeper to fumble and Rachel Van Fosson was on hand to sweep the ball home from close range.

This was the TSCH 97 Richardson teams first tournament victory and afterwards Coach Richardson was delighted with the performances in all four games. “ The team did great in all four games to not only overcome the opposition but also the conditions. Although not ideal for passing soccer, the girls did play, in all four games, the style of soccer that they have been practicing since the beginning of the season. They fully deserve to be tournament champions and it is a great reward for all of the hard work that they have put in in practices and in games”

Next up for the 97’s is the Sam Shannon Showcase.