GATLINBURG, Tenn. – The most exciting aspect of a goal scored by McCallie School (Chattanooga, Tenn.) might be the 5-10 seconds that follows.

There’s Drew Viscomi’s flying karate kick of the corner flag and Will McGregor’s hand spring backflip.

Norman North (Norman, Okla.) got to see that – and more -- Thursday in the opening round of the Smoky Mountain Cup at Rocky Sports World in a somewhat surprising outcome as SIMA FAB 50 No. 24 McCallie School (5-0-1) defeated No. 15 Norman North (4-2) 3-0.

In other matches Thursday, Westminster Schools (Atlanta, Ga.) defeated Central Magnet (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) 2-0 on goals by Jack Schlafly and Charlie Ham, and Sevier County (Sevierville, Tenn.) handled Lausanne Collegiate School (Memphis, Tenn.), 4-0.

There was little doubt McCallie was the better team Thursday and deserved the result, but the one-sided margin was the result of a fortuitous McCallie effort and an unlucky Norman North sequence early in the second half.

McCallie held a 1-0 lead three minutes into the second half when the school was awarded a corner kick, although the Norman North keeper never touched the ball as it headed out of play. That corner kick led to a direct kick by McCallie, and Viscomi delivered a low right-footed blast that hit a Norman North player -- altering the direction of the shot -- that ended up in the back of the net. With Norman North players still questioning the call a minute later, McGregor struck again to give McCallie a 3-0 lead.

Norman North then had a shot smothered by McCallie keeper Emerson Brock, hit the post on another shot, then watched as a potential handball in the box was not called. At that point, the outcome was pretty much sealed as Norman North was handed only its second multi-goal loss since 2010.

“That wasn’t a three-goal game, but all credit to them – (McCallie) did a better job (capitalizing) when they were in dangerous situations,” Norman North coach Geo Claros said.

“When we pressed, we were the better team and in control of the game,” McCallie coach Chris Cushenbery said. “But when we sat back … you could see the quality of Norman North.”

McCallie jumped ahead 25 minutes into the first half when Aidan Foley ripped a shot that hit just beneath the crossbar where the keeper had no chance.

“We played a long ball into the attacking area. We’re not a big team, so we don’t win a lot of first balls,” Cushenbery said. “Aidan stays underneath (around the 18) and if the ball happens to pop out, he’s right there. Today, he was in the right spot.”

Foley turned and rushed toward midfield as he got mobbed by teammates. Vascomi’s direct kick goal and McGregor’s clincher bought about more elaborate celebrations.

“Any celebration they think of has to be approved,” Cushenbery said. “It’s not going to be something that shows up the other team. But, in soccer, a goal is rare, and it should be celebrated.”

THURSDAY STANDOUTS

Drew Viscomi, McCallie School, Jr., F: His one goal marked the 12^th of the season, but it was evident he has exceptional skill on the ball. Every time Vascomi touched the ball in the attacking third, two of three Norman North defenders collapsed onto the junior.

Garrison Brock, McCallie School, Soph., D: Brock anchored a McCallie defense that shut out Norman North.

Blake Gillikin, Westminster Schools, Sr., D: Gillikin is a tall, dominant force on defense, and won every header anywhere close to him. He is a football standout as a punter/place-kicker and has committed to Penn State for football.

Mitchell Kepner, Norman North, Jr., D: Kepner has a strong sliding tackle that prevented Vascomi from a first-half breakaway. His play throughout the match helped limited Vascomi’s chances.

Others: Jake Neighbors, Norman North, Sr., F; Stone Roebuck, McCallie School, Fr., M; Charlie Ham, Westminster Schools, Fr., F; Noah Liddell, Norman North, So., D/M.