Table is Set: PHS girls soccer team embarks on Class AAAA state tourney
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PARKERSBURG - If the Parkersburg girls soccer team were to create their own "BELIEVE" sign it would consist of three components: Starter, Gamechanger and Supporter. The three roles players fulfill in the program.
And if a sign existed, coach would make sure the school colors of red and white replace the blue and gold version in the sitcom 'Ted Lasso.'
Same sport, but different colors.
Wednesday at Cline Stadium at the YMCA Facility in Beckley, fourth-seeded PHS begins its quest at the Class AAAA state tournament against top-seeded George Washington. The same Patriot program which owns a pair of 1-0 wins over the Big Reds this season.
"The emphasis this season was to, one, make the state tournament as a big moment," PHS coach Jarric Hoskins said. "But also, the goal we have in mind is having bigger aspirations for the end of the year. George Washington is a familiar opponent - if anything there is a little bit of extra motivation. They knocked us out of last year's tournament in the regional final.
"The girls have a little chip on their shoulder. The girls are confident. We have a lot of film on George Washington because we have played them twice each of the past two years."
The match between PHS (14-5-3) and GW (18-1-3) is scheduled for 10 a.m. The winner advances to Friday's championship against the winner of Wednesday's second semifinal between No. 2 Washington and No. 3 Wheeling Park.
"A lot of what we are doing now is the fact we are fully healthy as a team for the first time," Hoskins said. "We changed some formations around. The girls have really come together for a common goal. They have responded to the changes and are really locked in."
PHS figures to be at full strength for the week ahead. The Big Reds were fighting through some nagging injuries during the season, including the back end of the schedule which included one tie and two losses as they entered play in the South Regional.
GW was responsible for one of those losses in the championship match of the Mountain State Athletic League.
The Patriots are led in scoring by senior Ellie Pray with 28 goals. The next two on the list bring youth to the table in freshman Greta Trethewey (14 goals) and sophomore Lexi Blanchard (12 goals). Senior keeper Oriah Allen, who has been in goal for all 22 GW matches, is one reason why her club has outscored opponents 85-8.
"GW is a well-balanced team - they have skill at every position," Hoskins said. "A lot of players on that team play together in the offseason and they play really well as a team. They spread the field and have players who can score from all positions.
"We are aware it will definitely be a challenge. They are an extremely talented team."
On the flip side, PHS has allowed just 14 goals while scoring 68. Reagan Ashley, who scored the only goal in the Big Reds' 1-0 win over Oak Hill in the regional co-final, leads the team with 17 goals. Fellow senior Hailey Warman ranks second on the squad with 13 goals.
When the postseason began, PHS welcomed back starting keeper Addi Mosso, who missed more than two weeks due to concussion protocol. The sophomore responded with two clean slates.
"I was not sure how Addi would respond coming off the injury, but she was a little more than amped up in the postseason," Hoskins said. "Missing a couple of games kind of motivated her. The last two games, she played with some extra intensity. She played an extremely great game against Oak Hill."
Hoskins' first experience at state as a coach has followed a smooth transition thanks in part to the soccer boosters and their assistance with everything that takes place behind the scenes.
"The big message for this team is about belief - they have to understand they are one of the top four teams playing the final week of the season. Play with confidence and play for your teammates."
Contact Kerry Patrick at kpatrick@newsandsentinel.com