×

PHS girls soccer returns strong core of players

File photo Parkersburg High’s Bethany Meek, left, makes a pass during a high school girls soccer match last season at Stadium Field.

PARKERSBURG — Fielding a young team last year that only had three seniors, then first-year Parkersburg High girls soccer head coach Brad Morris went through some growing pains in year one.

Going 9-11 and losing in the first round of the sectional tournament to Ripley, the young team proved it could compete with some of the top teams in triple-A, but was not experienced enough to sneak out a close win.

This year, Parkersburg returns a good core of last year’s contributors, from All-Mountain State Athletic Conference first team forward Madison Spears, a junior, to Big Red captain midfielders Maddi Leggett, a senior, and Bethany Meek, a junior. Morris expects good things to unfold in his second year coaching his alma-mater.

“We were a pretty young team. We were competitive with all the top teams in the state. We just couldn’t find the back of the net against them or we have a costly mistake that gave them the upper hand with the goal,” Morris said.

“This is a pretty good season for me, because I feel last year we were not as deep. This year we have a lot of girls that are upcoming. I can make a list of girls that I can throw out there and talent doesn’t really drop off too much at all.”

Running a 4-4-2 that could switch to a 4-3-3 in the middle of the season, the Big Reds will be replacing goalie Sophie Thompson. Morris believes that sophomore Isabel Lynch is up to the task after playing on the club level for West Virginia ODP.

Lynch is a real solid keeper for her grade, but does need to work on when and when not to be aggressive, according to Morris.

Both junior defenders Jennifer Morris and Sarah Mosie started out the season starting at center back before going down to knee injuries midway through the season. Stepping up when called upon, senior Kayla Atkinson and sophomore Emma Fleming filled in nicely toward the end of the season and now Morris returns a back four that can play in center and wings.

Expecting to be rotated in and out are seniors Alex Queen, Taylor Gericke and junior Brayden McNickle.

Look for captains Leggett and Meeks to control the midfield.

“Maddi is a fan favorite, just an all around athlete. She can get the job done. Whatever coach asks, she’s ready to do,” Morris said. “Bethany started every game for me last year. Having our team captains right there in the center field is pretty nice. I think that’s probably the best choice.”

The midfield depth is packed with talented underclassmen, including sophomore Audrey Campbell and freshmen Annie Mildren and Lauren McDonnell.

Attacking up front is Spears and sophomore Kendall Dominic. The pair had a coming out party last year and will continue to impact the game.

Morris believes that he has the best scoring tandem in the state when the duo plays off each other.

“When they feed off each other, I figure it’s the best two-striker team in the state,” Morris said. “Sometimes I tell them that the worst enemy is themselves because sometimes they like to compete against each other for some for some stats. Pretty much what I would like to say about them is when they work together, they’re going to be unstoppable.”

Providing depth up front and on the wings are freshmen Jenna Carpenter and Payton Harvey.

The Big Reds open the season hosting Buckhannon-Upshur at 1 p.m. Saturday at Ohio Valley University.

Contact Tyler Bennett at tbennett@newsandsetinel.com

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today