The oldest rivalry in Region 2 soccer produced another classic game on a cold day in Miami, Oklahoma.  In the end one-hundred and ten minutes couldn't separate the teams in a 1-1 tie.  

NEO started strong and controlled the play early in the game, but it was Northern that would get on the scoreboard first.  In the twentieth minute John Woodhead intercepted a pass and blasted a long shot past the NEO goalkeeper to put the Mavs up 1-0.

Late in the first half NEO drew a foul in the box setting up a penalty kick.  Northern's goalkeeper, Euan Morrison, made a great save on the penalty kick to keep the Norsemen scoreless.

The second half was a much more evenly played game going back and forth with both teams having good scoring chances.  Both goalkeepers made good saves keeping the score 1-0.  Late in the game NEO played a high cross to the top of the box.  A Northern defender had two chances to clear the ball, but failed to get the ball out of the defensive third.  An NEO player picked up the loose ball and his shot beat Morrison to tie the game sending it to overtime. 

It didn't look like overtime would last long as the Mavs immediately took the ball down the field and played a cross to the back post.  Gio Herrera had a diving header beat the goalkeeper, but it went off the post.  Minutes later Harry Yorke had a great header saved by the NEO goalkeeper.  Yorke had two other chances in overtime just miss as well.  In the end neither team could score in the twenty extra minutes and the game would end in a draw.

"We are disappointed that we didn't get the win today.  We really needed it.  NEO needed the win as well so it was an intense game.  Honestly they outplayed us for a good portion of the game.  We played better in the second half and really well in the overtime.  We were a little unlucky to not get the win today.  Euan Morrison had another great game.  He made some big saves and is really playing well right now." Coach Michael DuRoy

DuRoy continued, "We are on a four game unbeaten streak and it has set up a big game for the last game of the year.  We need a win or a tie at Rich Mountain to be guaranteed a playoff spot.  It should be a fun game."