Published: November 05, 2009 11:52 pm      

Meet the 2009 state soccer participants

BOYS

CLASS AAA

Parkersburg Big Reds

Opponent: Martinsburg, 10 a.m. today

Record: 18-2-2

Ranking: Class AAA No. 3

Path to states: Defeated Winfield 3-1 and Parkersburg South 1-0 in sectional; beat Huntington 1-0 for Region 4 championship

Head coach: Don Fosselman (22nd year)

Top players: Senior goalkeeper Spencer Griffey (12 shutouts), senior defender Matt Brooks, sophomore forward Brian Runyon (21 goals, 7 assists), senior midfielder Adam Alleman (5 goals), senior forward Matt Sellers (6 goals, 6 assists).

Notes: Perennial state tournament contender Parkersburg will be vying for its sixth Class AAA championship.

“We have good players that work hard and are committed to the program,” Fosselman said. “It’s not just an August to November thing. They work all year round.”

The Big Reds, who outscored opponents 59-18, like playing at the YMCA Youth Sports Complex. They’ve been in four of the last five finals here, winning three.

“I love going to Beckley for the whole atmosphere,” Fosselman said. “Dave (Laraba) and Rocky (Powell) do a nice job. They put it on right.”



Martinsburg Bulldogs

Opponent: Parkersburg, 10 a.m. today

Record: 15-8-0

Ranking: Class AAA No. 10

Path to states: Defeated Jefferson and Washington in sectional; beat Elkins 2-0 for Region 2 championship

Head coach: Greg Miller (9th year)

Top players: Senior midfielder Aaron Anderson (17 goals, 6 assists), senior defender Evan Bobo (3 goals, 7 assists), senior forward Gavin Washington (12 goals, 8 assists), senior forward Adam Mauck (9 goals, 4 assists), senior goalkeeper-midfielder Drew Dopson (5 goals, 9 assists).

Notes: Martinsburg has gone through a lot of athletic tape this season.

“We’re all healthy now, but we’ve had quite a few injuries,” Miller said. “We’ve had a separated shoulder, a concussion and high ankle sprains. Most of the midfield was banged up pretty good for five or six games.”

Although slowed by opponents, the Bulldogs outscored opponents 51-32.

“Up the middle we are pretty strong,” Miller said. “Aaron Anderson is a magician with the ball. Gavin Washington holds and distributes well and Evan Bobo is a strong stopper.”

Martinsburg has been to states four of the last six years and lost to Wheeling Park last season.



Fairmont Senior Polar Bears

Opponent: Woodrow Wilson, approximately noon today

Record: 19-1-2

Ranking: Class AAA No. 2

Path to states: Defeated East Fairmont and Preston in sectional; beat Wheeling Park 3-0 for Region 1 championship

Head coach: Jim Dinardi (13th year)

Top players: Senior forward Brooks Nucilli (49 goals, 20 assists), senior midfielder Brooks Paine, senior defender Ryan McWatters, senior defender Dillon Leeson (2 goals, 2 assists), junior forward Josh Henderson, senior goalkeeper Corey Cleavenger (13 shutouts, 105 saves).

Notes: The Polar Bears have a high-powered offense, keyed by state player of the year candidate Nucilli, but Dinardi likes talking about his defense.

“We’re very solid,” he said. “Our guys in back don’t do a lot of stabbing. They stand people up and wait for them to make mistakes. People don’t get behind us too often.”

Fairmont outscored opponents 88-20 during the campaign. Nucilli had 49 of the goals.

“Brooks has great individual skills. He can do amazing things with the ball with both feet,” Dinardi said. “But he’s a team player. If he doesn’t have something, he looks to get the ball across the front of the goal for the other guys.”

The Polar Bears defeated their semifinal opponent, Woodrow Wilson, 1-0 during the regular season.

“It was a terrific, well-played game both ways,” Dinardi said. “It could be another one-goal game (today).”



Woodrow Wilson Flying Eagles

Opponent: Fairmont Senior, approximately noon today

Record: 15-3-3

Ranking: Class AAA No. 5

Path to states: Defeated Riverside 8-0 and Princeton 2-0 in sectional; beat George Washington 1-0 for Region 3 championship

Head coach: Rocky Powell (21st year)

Top players: Senior forward-midfielder Jonah Moore (12 goals, 3 assists), senior defender Tony Serge (2 goals, 2 assists), senior midfielder Travis Cole (7 goals, 2 assists), senior goalkeeper Pierce Jarrell (9 shutouts), junior midfielder Ben Stafford (8 goals, 2 assists).

Notes: Powell considers Woodrow Wilson’s balanced attack to be a blessing.

“We have quite a few people who are scoring for us, and it’s hard for a team to mark one guy,” he said. “We have quite a few players who can step up and score.”

After a midseason lull, the Flying Eagles have played consistently. They outscored tournament foes 11-0.

“Everyone works hard. I call them a bunch of blue-collar workers,” Powell said. “The kids have stepped up and we’re peaking at the right time.”

He expects another close game with Fairmont Senior, which took a 1-0 regular-season win last month at Paul Cline Stadium.

“They have a couple of quality players and we couldn’t score on them,” he said. “Our guys will have to have their ‘A’ game.”



CLASS AA-A

Charleston Catholic Irish

Opponent: Berkeley Springs, 4:30 p.m. today

Record: 20-1-1

Ranking: No. 1

Path to states: Defeated Point Pleasant 7-0 and Huntington St. Joe 1-0 in sectional; beat Ravenswood 7-0 for Region 4 championship

Head coach: Keith Hutcheson (3rd year)

Top players: Tommy Trupo, sophomore forward, Taylor Farris, senior midfielder, Seth Ritchie, senior midfielder, Kenny Dexter, senior defender, Alex Higgins senior back.

Notes: The Irish get plenty of offensive spark from a trio of standouts: Trupo scored 25 goals, 9 assists, Farris had 12 goals, 20 assists and Seth Ritchie added 22 goals and 5 assists. Defense is a strength, too. The team allowed just .63 goals per game. Seven starters played in the state tournament last year, but lost in first round to Pocahontas County.

“It’s been a good year,” Hutcheson said. “We’ve built as the season went along. We’ve definitely gotten a lot stronger. We’ve only given up four goals in last 12 games. Our offense has been clicking pretty well all year. I’m pleased with that. Compared with last year’s team, that’s an improvement in that area. We’re a little better well rounded now. We’re looking forward to the tournament. We were there last year, so we know what it’s like. We feel like we have a good feel for it. I hope we’re ready.”



Berkeley Springs Indians

Opponent: Charleston Catholic, 4:30 p.m. today

Record: 10-7-4

Ranking: No. 11 in AA-A

Path to states: Defeated Petersburg 8-0 and Keyser 3-1 in sectional; beat Grafton 4-0 for Region 2 championship

Head coach: Jamie Chenowith

Top players: Zack Wise, Gudiel Guzman, Josh Kelly, Dylan Walsh, Fernando Andrejevski, Matt Stevens, Zane Mokhiber.

Notes: “Wise, a freshman, has scored 38 goals this season,” Chenowith said. “A player to watch is Gudiel. He is a junior with a lot of talent. He does some amazing things with the ball. He hit a beautiful 45-yard goal in the regionals. His dribbling is amazing. We’re fortunate to have such a young, talented team. We like to control the pace of the game. We create a lot of chances, we just need to finish more. We have some speed.”



Weir Red Riders

Opponent: Oak Hill, approximately 6:30 p.m. today

Record: 14-2-2

Ranking: No. 26 overall WVHSCA

Path to states: Defeated Wheeling Central 5-0 in sectional; beat Tyler Consolidated 3-0 for Region 1 championship

Head coach: Joe Pepe (17th year)

Top players: Chad Ford, senior forward, Chester Barnabei, senior defender, Stephen Felton, senior midfielder, Cameron Rauch, senior defender

Ford scored 33 goals, 16 assists, 73 steals; Barnabei had 148 steals, Felton had 7 goals, 7 assists and 89 steals, Rauch had 137 steals.

Notes: “The season’s gone pretty good for us,” Pepe said. “We had our ups and downs. We played the Wheeling Parks and the Brooke high schools. Looking at Oak Hill, I hear they have a fine team. We don’t know what to expect, but I hear they have a couple of kids who can score, a very decent defense, and from what I hear they’re the real deal.”



Oak Hill Red Devils

Opponent: Weir, approximately 6:30 p.m. today

Record: 12-5-2

Ranking: No. 15 overall WVHSCA

Path to states: Defeated Shady Spring 11-1 and Pocahontas County 2-1 in sectional; beat James Monroe 4-3 for Region 3 championship

Head coach: Laura Sedlock (2nd year)

Top players: Victor Garcia, Daniel Garcia, Thomas Booth

Notes: “Stephanie (Woodson, Oak Hill’s assistant coach) made out the schedule this year and she picked up several triple-A schools in our region and section and that really got us ready for the (postseason),” Sedlock said. “I guess you’d have to say our guys stepped up to the challenge. Our 11 work very well together, they move as a group. We don’t know much about Weir. We looked at scores online, but those scores, and I know from the times that we’ve played poorly, can be deceiving.”



GIRLS

CLASS AAA

Hurricane Redskins

Opponent: Jefferson, 5 p.m. today

Record: 18-0-5

Ranking: No. 3

Path to states: Defeated Cabell Midland 1-0 and Huntington 2-1 in sectional; beat Parkersburg 1-0 for Region 4 championship

Head coach: Shelly Young (1st year)

Top players: Senior forward Becca Logan (29 goals, 16 assists), senior midfielder Skye Smith (17 goals, 16 assists), senior defender Abby Barber, junior defender Morgan Miles, freshman goalkeeper Callie McClanahan (15 shutouts).

Notes: Unbeaten Hurricane surrendered just 10 goals this season.

“I’m a former defender myself, so I like to build from the back with my better players,” Young said. “We transition from offense to defense really well.”

The Redskins have many girls who have been together since they were 8 years old.

“They’ve played through rec ball and travel ball. They have a good rapport with one another,” Young said.

She feels Hurricane is focused and ready for states.

“We know what we need to do, but it’s tough playing a team that you’re not familiar with like Jefferson. It should be a good match.”



Jefferson Cougars

Opponent: Hurricane, 5 p.m. today

Record: 19-2-0

Ranking: No. 9

Path to states: Defeated Washington 5-0 and Martinsburg 1-0 in sectional; beat Robert C. Byrd 2-1 for Region 2 championship

Head coach: Katie Myers (1st year)

Top players: Senior midfielder Sarah Cogswell (33 goals, 10 assists), junior forward Kelsey Barnhold (27 goals, 14 assists), senior goalkeeper Melissa Taylor (83 saves, 13 shutouts), senior midfielder Kiersten Stukey (9 assists), senior defender Kirsten Chaney (2 assists).

Notes: “We have three seniors who were on the state championship team in 2007 — Cogswell, Chaney and Taylor,” Myers said. “Our loss in the first round last year put a knife in their hearts, so it was definitely a motivating factor to get back this season. This is our fourth straight trip to states.

“We started the season with a mixed package. We had some veterans, but we also had some new players and freshmen. But we’ve built and bettered ourselves. We believe in team offense and team defense. Everything is done as a team.”



University Hawks

Opponent: George Washington, approximately 7 p.m. today

Record: 21-0-2 (ties at Martinsburg, at Charleston Catholic)

Ranking: No. 1

Path to states: Defeated Wheeling Park 5-0 and Morgantown 1-0 in sectional; beat Fairmont Senior 4-1 for Region 1 championship

Head coach: Ray Petrisin (4th year, coached at Morgantown for 19 years)

Top players: Midfielder Whitney Cavender (10 goals, 13 assists), defender Hillary Johns (5 goals, 4 assists), Kaylynn Petrisin (20 goals, 16 assists), goalkeeper Hilary DeWitt (17 shutouts), Ashley Ramsey (16 goals, 7 assists).

Notes: University not only plays possession soccer, it knows how to finish as well. The Hawks outscored opponents 87-6.

“We attack with seven players,” Petrisin said. “We have four girls in double figures scoring and five in double figures in assists.”

Nitro defeated University 1-0 on penalty kicks in last year’s state championship game.

“We’ll try to go after it again,” Petrisin said. “All four teams have a real good chance of going home with the trophy.

“It will be interesting.”



George Washington Patriots

Opponent: University, approximately 7 p.m. today

Record: 18-3-3

Ranking: No. 6

Path to states: Defeated Nitro 1-0 and South Charleston 6-0 in sectional; beat Woodrow Wilson 1-0 for Region 3 championship

Head coach: Dan Thistlethwaite (1st year)

Top players: Senior goalkeeper Jarrett Walker (17 shutouts), junior forward Cris Eddy (16 goals, 9 assists), sophomore forward Lucky Lucente (19 goals, 13 assists), senior midfielder Morgan Foster (10 goals), senior defender Chelsi Waldeck (7 assists).

Notes: Known through the years for its strong defense over the years, George Washington has lived up to its reputation.

The Patriots allowed just 12 goals this season and shut out tournament foes 8-0.

“We graduated the state player of the year, (defender) Megan Johnson,” Thistlethwaite said. “The girls saw it as a challenge.”

The first-year coach also likes how his team has no true stars.

“We have a number of players who are capable of scoring goals and playing defense,” Thistlethwaite said. “They recognize they can count on each other for that, rather than relying on one outstanding defender or one goal scorer.”



CLASS AA-A

Charleston Catholic Irish

Opponent: Grafton, 9:30 a.m. today

Record: 18-1-4

Ranking: No. 1 in Class AA-A

Path to states: Defeated Herbert Hoover 9-0 and Huntington St. Joe 4-0 in sectional; beat Sissonville 1-0 for Region 4 championship

Head coach: Kevin Nelson (5th year)

Top players: Emily Blake, sophomore forward, Amanda Johns, junior forward, Rachel Silverman junior midfielder, Meg Whalen, junior midfielder, Abby Vorholt, junior sweeper, Victoria Thomas junior outside midfielder, Stephanie Supcoe, senior stopper, Diane Bronikowski, junior goal keeper.

Notes: The defending state champions in Class AA-A are a powerful group.

The Irish have scored 97 goals this year and given up only eight. The team has 18 shutouts, four of the goals were given up in one game.

Catholic has offensive production from many sources: Blake has 27 goals and 21 assists; Johns netted 20 goals and added 11 assists, Silverman posted 16 goals and 16 assists, Whalen delivered 8 goals, 8 assists and Thomas scored 12 goals and dished out 10 assists.

“The team is made up of players that play year-round,” Nelson said. “They like to play soccer. We play the ball on the ground. The whole team seems to enjoy playing and they like scoring a goal after stringing 4-5 passes together. They have skills and intuition to do that. Two highlights were 0-0 ties against University and George Washington. We played 12 AAA schools in our regular-season schedule. We’re playing pretty well.”

Charleston Catholic is ranked No. 15 in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Region 4.



Grafton Bearcats

Opponent: Charleston Catholic, 9:30 a.m. today

Record: 15-5-1

Ranking: No. 8 AA-A

Path to states: Defeated Notre Dame 3-1 and Liberty Harrison 1-0 in sectional; beat South Harrison for Region 2 championship

Head coach: Lorraine Isner (2nd year)

Top players: Valerie Barlow F, Jr., 40 goals; 10 assists, 5 from corner kicks; Nancy Isner, MF, Soph., 2 goals, 3 assists

Carrie Fawcett, F, Fr., 23 goals, 8 assists, Abbie Taylor, D, Jr., 2 goals and Alyssa Muller, 123 saves, 6 saves/GA; 1.6 GA.

Notes: “We’ve had a very good season,” Isner said. “Making the states was our goal from beginning. We knew if we worked hard, we could make states. We have some very good upfront speed and striking ability. We’re tough defensively, but what makes us solid is we play disciplined soccer. We support everybody well. Valerie Barlow is our leader with ability to attack the goal, but all 11 work hard together. Not many of our players play travel ball. We’re a Class AA school, so a lot of girls play other sports. Not a lot of athletes who specialize in multiple sports. Charleston Catholic has very talented players. They play year-round, and they’re returning state champs.”



Weir Red Riders

Opponent: PikeView, approximately 11 a.m. today

Record: 15-3-4

Ranking: No. 26 overall WVHSCA

Path to states: Defeated Madonna in sectional; beat Wheeling Central 5-0 for Region 1 championship

Head coach: Chris LeFever (3rd year)

Top players: Kassi Robinson, senior midfielder, Megan Duke, senior defender, all-stater Milena Maragos, junior forward, Nikki Robinson, junior forward, Bobbie Jo Julian, junior defender.

Notes: The Red Riders rely on three main scorers: Robinson had 23 steals, one goal and two assists, Duke had 32 steals and one assist. Maragos had 14 goals, eight assists and seven steals. Weir was the Class AA-A state runner-up in 2008, lost to Charleston Catholic 2-0.

“After our season last year, we had a lot of returning players,” LeFever said. “Our goal was to be back at states, we have 14 returning letterman.

“We play a very modern style. Our passing is good and an average team speedwise. Defensively we’re very strong. Our goals are distributed over different players. It’s nice having a good array of players. We know PikeView has only had a program three years. To come this far in three years is great.”



PikeView Panthers

Opponent: Weir, approximately 11 a.m. today

Record: 16-5

Ranking: No. 14 WVHSCA

Path to states: Defeated James Monroe 4-0 and Bluefield 1-0 in sectional; beat Pocahontas County 2-1 for Region 3 championship

Head coach: Sam Hill (3rd year)

Top players: Tera Hazelwood, senior defender; Mariah Farley, junior midfielder; Kiersten White, junior midfielder; Amanda Presley, junior goal keeper; Samantha Wood, sophomore midfielder.

Notes: “Our success has come from having good speed all over the field,” Hill said. “It’s been a real advantage. We’re a possession-oriented team. We look to use the width of the field. Our leading scorer is sophomore Samantha Wood with 18 goals and 16 assists. Our second-leading scorer is freshman Laura Hill, with 10 goals. We have six junior starters, all of whom played a lot all three years, so we have a lot of experience.”