GIRLS SOCCER: Penalty-kick magic runs out for Claremore in state-quarterfinal heartbreak

One year ago, Claremore walked off Lantow Field in celebration after surviving a penalty-kick shootout against Duncan to advance to the Class 5A semifinals.

This year, however, fate favored the visitors from Southwest Oklahoma.

The Lady Zebras' season came to a heartbreaking end Thursday night as Lawton MacArthur escaped with a 0-0 [3-2 PK] victory in the Class 5A state quarterfinals, ending their bid for a third-consecutive semifinal appearance.

“Both teams played hard,” Claremore coach Brent Crenshaw said. “We had chances, they had chances; it was a good game. What do you expect when you only have eight teams left in the state? They were a state finalist last year, but that's a tough way to lose right there. Our girls played hard, they played with integrity, so that's all you can ask for, I think, is to compete, and they did.

“After they graduated so many seniors last year, not a lot was expected of them,” he added. “We've got a good group of girls. There's no split, there's no egos — they're all friends. They're all good kids, so it was a fun group to coach.”

After 100 scoreless minutes between regulation and overtime, the match moved to penalty kicks, where freshman goalkeeper Avery Lowder proved to be the difference for the Lady Highlanders.

Lowder blocked attempts from Breckin Williams and Avery Roseberry while finishing with 10 saves overall as MacArthur — coached by Nate Inger, who played soccer at Rogers State University in 2011 and 2012 — advanced to the semifinals for a second-straight season.

The Lady Zebras had opportunities throughout the night but couldn’t find the breakthrough, finishing with 14 shots and several dangerous chances.

In the opening half, Williams sent a cross toward Ella Berglund that was headed just over the crossbar with 24 minutes remaining. Later, Hazel Brown fired a shot over the goal with seven minutes left before halftime.

The second half brought even more tension.

Emma Easton narrowly missed high with 5:30 remaining, and with less than two minutes left in regulation, Alivia Payne had a quality scoring opportunity denied by Lowder near the goal.

“Grit is a word we talked about, and I thought we played with grit,” Crenshaw said.

The Lady Highlanders threatened as well.

Naleah Cordes nearly capitalized after a deflection off Claremore goalkeeper Maise Stagner-Speer left the net vulnerable midway through the first half, but a Lady Zebras defender recovered just in time to prevent a goal.

Cordes later missed narrowly high on two separate second-half chances, while Ellana Burk had a standing bicycle-kick attempt blocked inside the box.

Stagner-Speer finished with 4 saves in the shutout effort.

The physical contest also featured yellow cards against Payne and Roseberry late in the first half.

When the match reached penalties, Claremore immediately faced pressure after Williams’ opening attempt was blocked.