OKEMOS - The Okemos soccer team defeated Kalamazoo Loy Norrix, 2-0, in the first round of district play.

With the goal of winning the CAAC Gold Cup title crushed, after a, 3-2, loss to Haslett in the semifinals - who then lost the title, 2-0, to East Lansing -, the Chiefs wanted to avoid another season-goal upset.

Loy Norrix made the trip to Okemos High School and didn't want to waste the hour and 13 minute drive.

The Knights and Chiefs' first half battle ends scoreless, making the second half a crucial 40-minute game.

Okemos continued the trend of the first half, keeping most of the possession and tallying shots on goal.

It wasn't until the 54th minute of play, that the Chiefs were able to capitalize.

Ben Derby booted the corner kick high enough for Ben Meschke to head it into the back of the net.

A quick celebration followed, but one goal wasn't a far enough margin to play easy for the rest of the game.

The Chiefs missed many other opportunities, whether the Loy Norrix goalkeeper made the saves or the shots went a little too wide above or on either side.

The second and final Chiefs' goal came in the 72nd minute.

Alex Thornurg passed to Andre Owczarzak in the center.

Owczarzak's first attempt got tangled with the defender in front of him, so he shuffled right two steps and booted one past the Knights goalkeeper in the back left.

With pressure from the Knights elevated in the last 10 minutes, Okemos was able to keep Loy Norrix to only two shots on goal in the second half, both stopped by Chiefs goalkeeper Patrick Restum.

"I thought we played pretty well, we just gotta find a way to be able to find the net a little bit easier. But you know, anytime you can win and you keep going on then that's a good thing. I thought seniors played pretty well today and that's what you need at this time of the year," said head coach Brian Guggemos.

The Chiefs move on to the second round of districts on Thursday, when they will host Portage Central at 3 p.m.