Published: May 11, 2008 11:02 pm         

Weather throws a wrench into final day

In the end, Mother Nature had the final say Sunday at the Darrell Moore Memorial Soccer Tournament.

Rain, lightning and wind forced the cancellation of numerous matches, including several championships at the YMCA’s Youth Sports Complex.

With southern West Virginia under a tornado watch, action was halted around noon until the lead storm could pass over.

Unfortunately, it was just the first of several storms to sweep over the seven-field complex. While none reached the severe stage, the rain drenched the fields and halted play. Around 4 p.m. the remaining matches, including several already in progress, were canceled.

While it was a shame the matches couldn’t be completed, it didn’t take away from a great tournament. I saw a lot of happy faces, particularly the younger players.

I’m sure they’ll all be back next year.

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Mountain State University defensive sweeper Chaz Turner coaches the West Virginia Rapids’ 10-and-under and 9-and-under teams.

The u-9’s took second place in their division while the u-10’s won one of three matches. They’re basically one team and work well together.

“We practice and train together, and we take some of the u-9’s on u-10 trips when there’s no u-9 tournament,” said Turner, a former Woodrow Wilson standout.

He enjoys coaching the youngsters, but finds it to be hard work.

“Coaching wears me out more than playing,” he said. “It’s just standing there in one spot and it wears on my legs more.

“When you’re playing you move everywhere, and it doesn’t wear on me until the end of the game. But when I’m coaching I can feel it.”

One of his teams scored a goal Saturday and Turner decided to sit down for a moment.

Bad move. MSU coach John Birkelbach happened to show up and wasn’t impressed.

“He asked me why I sat down,” Turner said, grinning. “I told him to give me a break.”

Turner had a fine freshman season for the Cougars, helping them to a 9-6-2 record and second place in the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

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The Rapids’ u-18 girls team, comprised of top players from Woodrow Wilson, Greenbrier East, Shady Spring, Ripley and Hurricane high schools, finished a disappointing third place in the tournament.

Coming off a 4-3 win over Parkersburg and 1-0 loss to Wheeling Saturday, the Rapids were in a 1-1 draw with the West Virginia Rowdies when the first storm hit.

Hopes were high to continue the game and earn a tie for first place in the tournament. It wasn’t to be, however.

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Champions at the time all games were canceled were:

u-9 Boys — W.Va. Chaos

u-10 Girls — RVSC Xtreme

u-10 Boys — W.Va. Chaos

u-11 Girls — WVSC Arsenal

u-12 Girls — WVSC Arsenal

u-12 Boys — East River Soccer

u-13 Boys — RVSC Revolution

u-15 Boys — Charleston Futbol Club

u-16 Girls — WVSC Rowdies