Big Reds, Patriots end in 0-0 tie

By MATT LOCKE

Sports Writer



PARKERSBURG— Strong defensive efforts from Parkersburg and Parkersburg South resulted in a 0-0 stalemate Thursday night at Stadium Field.

The game looked like a shutout from the whistle. The Big Reds (12-2-1) were unable to get the ball past Patriot striker Craig Zell and the Patriots (6-4-3) seldom got behind Big Red striker Tim Stephens. The play stayed mostly between the 18’s.

Neither team played a perfect game. When mistakes were made, there was always an opposing player to capitalize. It was hard to tell who had the edge. Each team won its share of goal kicks at midfield and the only dominant characteristic was each team’s defensive set.

“I thought we played a much better second half,” PHS coach Don Fosselman said. “We just need to keep putting (shots) on goal and we’ll get one in.”

For the Patriots, midfielder Doug Teter was involved in several South offensive runs, but the Big Red defense prevailed on each attempt. Near the end of the first half, Teter let loose a crossing pass to find the head of Jamon Kaufman, but PHS keeper Brent McGee was there to make the stop.

With eight minutes left in the match, it appeared Teter would have an open shot on goal from inside the keeper box on the left side. As Teter released the shot, a sliding Stephens deflected the shot out of bounds.

When either team got the ball into the red zone, capable keepers were there. With 27 minutes remaining in the match, Big Red forward Michael Pitrolo’s shot from close range was blocked by Patriot net-minder Derik Ayers.

With less than 14 minutes to play the Big Reds put together a drive and Cody Brown found Pitolo darting in from the right. Pitrolo’s shot found a diving Ayers and the score remained tied.

Ayers’ most impressive save was on a direct kick from Evan McGee. McGee’s shot was placed in the top left corner and Ayers was there to make the save.

“These guys proved to themselves that they can play with them,” PSHS coach Bill Matthews said. “Derik (Ayers) stepped up and made some big saves at the end, but we stayed right with them.”

The Oct. 18 sectional match will be the next time these two teams stand on opposite sides of the field and both coaches know that game could come down to a shootout.

“Come October 18, it’s going to be a real good battle,” Matthews said. “Hopefully we can sneak in on them.”

Both teams look to home games on Saturday. The PHS varsity match begins at noon against Cabell Midland and South hosts Morgantown with the varsity match starting at 1 p.m.

Contact Matt Locke at

mlocke@newsandsentinel.com

Friday, September 28, 2007