The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Sports

November 3, 2009

Eagles’ Serge a sweeping success

By Dan Stillwell

Put into football terms, Woodrow Wilson sweeper Tony Serge is a soccer version of quarterback and safety.

At the same time.

“It’s a pretty key position,” coach Rocky Powell said. “The sweeper starts your offense and stops (the opponent’s).”

Serge, who will lead the Flying Eagles into state tournament play Friday at the YMCA’s Paul Cline Stadium, is in his third season as the last man standing before the goalkeeper.

“I’m there if the ball gets through or something happens,” Serge said. “I keep everyone organized.”

Serge, goalkeeper Pierce Jarrell, backs Christian Planté and Matt Prelaz and stoppers Travis Cole and Logan Powell are the primary cogs in a Woodrow defense that has allowed opponents just 17 goals this season.

Cole and Powell provide the muscle up front. Whoever gets by them runs into Planté and Prelaz.

The speedy Serge, coach Powell said, races in to “clean up the mess” before it gets to Jarrell.

“Tony has very good speed and he’s very calm and cool back there,” Powell said. “We’ve played a lot of good teams and I haven’t seen anyone who plays it any better than Tony.”

Serge talks to the defenders and midfielders, making sure everyone knows his job and where the threats are.

“I try to keep everything under control and not let anybody get panicked,” he said.

If an attacker starts getting close, Serge closes in for the kill.

“If they’re around the 18 (yard line), I like to handle things myself,” he said. “I don’t like to leave anything for chance.”

Once Serge gets the ball, it becomes his job to get the ball forward.

He prefers to send the ball to a nearby player rather than just kicking it long and hoping a Woodrow player runs under it.

“I like to play it small to a stopper or midfielder so they can turn and transfer to a wing,” he said. “I only play the ball long if I see a tactical advantage.”

Serge has also proved to be an offensive weapon on free kicks. In fact, he scored both goals in a 2-1 late-season win at Princeton.

“Tony is a weapon inside the midfield line,” Powell said. “We bring him up, let him put the ball in the box and let their defense and our offense sort it out.

“He can put the long ball in. He has a very strong leg.”

Serge downplays his efforts in the goals against the Tigers.

“I put the ball into the 6-yard box and it took a skid,” he said. “A couple of strikers were making diagonal runs in the keeper’s face and both times (the ball) went in.

“The strikers kept it going. It was just my night.”

Serge relishes the 11:45 a.m. semifinal matchup with Fairmont Senior.

The Polar Bears were the last team to defeat the 14-3-3 Flying Eagles, beating them 1-0 Oct. 10 on a long Dillon Leeson free kick in the final minute.

“That game should have finished 0-0,” Serge said. “We had an unlucky break.”

Since then, Woodrow has outscored opponents 17-3.

“We’re extremely confident,” Serge said. “Not cocky, but confident in our abilities

“Our team is clicking on all cylinders.”

— E-mail: dstillwell@

register-herald.com

Text Only
Sports
  • Big12logo.jpg Getting to know the Big 12 Conference

    As West Virginia University moves into the Big 12 Conference, here's one place to come to find out about all of the Mountaineers new league opponents.

    April 18, 2012 1 Photo

  • WVU releases 2012 football schedule

    West Virginia University has released its football schedule for 2012.

    WVU announced Tuesday it has settled a lawsuit with the Big East for an unspecified amount, clearing the way for the conference power Mountaineers to join the Big 12 in July in time for the fall football season.
     

    February 14, 2012

  • WVU settles Big East lawsuit

    West Virginia University announced Tuesday it has settled a lawsuit with the Big East for an unspecified amount, clearing the way for the Mountaineers to join the Big 12 in July.
    Athletic Director Oliver Luck said the terms of the deal were confidential and WVU wouldn’t release details. But Luck said no state, taxpayer, tuition or other academic dollars will be used in the settlement.

    February 14, 2012

  • Shannon leads Woodrow win; Weiford 3 keys Spartans

    February 14, 2012

  • Woodrow holds off Huntington

     It took Woodrow Wilson’s boys basketball team nearly three quarters to figure out that the backside lob was open in Huntington High’s zone.

    January 10, 2012

  • MSU hosts Rio Grande

    For the first time since 1995, Mountain State stands a little past the half-way point at the season with five losses.

    January 10, 2012

  • OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE - WVU to join Big 12 Conference

    The Big 12 Conference Board of Directors have voted unanimously to accept West Virginia University as a full conference member effective July 1, 2012.  The Mountaineers will begin competing in the Big 12 beginning with the 2012-13 athletic season.

    October 28, 2011

  • Friday update: Big East notified WVU leaving for Big 12

    The Big East says it has been notified that West Virginia is leaving the conference and joining the Big 12.

    October 28, 2011

  • Cardinals force Game 7 in World Series

    After one of the greatest games in baseball history, a 10-9, 11-inning victory over Texas in Game 6 in which the Cardinals were twice within one strike of elimination.

    October 28, 2011

  • Schiano sings WVU’s praises

    It hasn’t been the year that Rutgers coach Greg Schiano envisioned.
    Not close.

    December 1, 2010