Clinton Norton scored in the second period of sudden-death overtime to lift Heidelberg past Kaiserslautern 2-1 in the title game of the Army-Air Force Final Four men’s soccer championship on Sunday.

Norton’s goal came off a pass by teammate Levia Gorman. Gorman dribbled past one defender and crossed the ball to Norton in front of the goal with about two minutes left in the period.

“I was just there,” Norton said smiling, eyes wide with amazement.

Norton scored both goals for Heidelberg. The first came on a penalty kick in the first half.

Kaiserslautern answered quickly with a goal from David Maddaford. Right wing Donovan Fabian carried the ball to Lev Kasatikin, who passed to Michael Mock, who crossed it to Maddaford for the score.

Heidelberg started the game aggressively, led by Gorman, Kevin Musgrave and Rigoberto Flores, who combined for 10 shots on goal in the first half and kept much of the action in Kaiserslautern’s end of the field. Kaiserslautern responded with four shots on Heidelberg’s goal.

At halftime, Kaiserslautern player-coach Brite Donkor implored his team to stay mentally tough against Heidelberg — which had beaten his team three times in the regular season and during the USAREUR tournament.

Meanwhile, Heidelberg coach Carlos Skinner was telling his team to raise the pace of the game a few notches and demanding “200 percent from every player.”

Much of the play in the scoreless second half stayed in the middle of the pitch, with neither team gaining an advantage and the shots on goal nearly even.

Spangdahlem, the USAFE champ, took third-place honors by beating RAF Mildenhall, 5-3, on a hat trick from Dale Davis and two goals by Rick Graham.

The all-tournament team was selected by votes from teammates, coaches, officials and tournament staff. Members are: Ryan Quintal, Jason Ghering, Richardo Dawkins, Norton and keeper Momar Samb of Heidelberg; Okochi Chukueneka, Donkor and Maddaford of Kaiserslautern; Eric Ivey of RAF Mildenhall; Pablo Graham and Davis of Spangdahlem.

Migrated