Wisconsin Soccer Central

Shannon Smyth (Mequon/Milwaukee DSHA) scored one of the biggest goals of her career Saturday.

Smyth converted a free kick from just outside the box in the 69th minute, giving Amazon Grimstad a 2-0 victory over host Sarpsborg 08 in the second match of a two-game promotion/relegation playoff series in Norway.

The two-goal win gave Amazon Grimstad a 3-2 aggregate victory in the series, ensuring that the club will play in the top-flight Toppserien for an eighth straight season in 2014.

Sarpsborg, which finished second in the First Division, won last week's first leg 2-1 in Grimstad. With the home side down 2-0 in the final minutes, Trine Lise Åvik's 87th-minute goal started the comeback that Smyth finished a week later in Sarpsborg.

Silje Blakstad levelled the series at 2 in the 33rd minute Saturday before Smyth sent a free kick from the corner of the box to the back post and in for her second goal in 15 appearances this season – the Republic of Ireland international missed the first 10 matches of the year because of a broken bone in her foot.

Amazon Grimstad (3-13-6) had to win the playoff series to keep it spot in the Toppserien after finishing 11th in the 12-team league this season. 

On Twitter: @shannonsmyth

• Sarah Hagen (Appleton North/UW-Milwaukee) played the full 90 minutes as Bayern Munich was knocked out of the German Cup in the third round, falling to second-division FC Köln 2-0 on Saturday. FC Köln is unbeaten and untied atop the 2. Bundesliga Süd. On Twitter: @sarahapplehagen