GW notches win over Parkersburg Big Reds

By MATT LOCKE

PARKERSBURG— The George Washington boys soccer team did something they haven’t done since Don Fosselman has been the coach at Parkersburg at Stadium Field on Thursday night — win.

The Big Reds had their chances. Time and time again the Big Reds found themselves in Patriot territory, but GW (3-0) had that finishing touch twice and PHS (2-2) found the back of the net once.

For 20 years GW coach Tom Hopper has been unable to get one over on Fosselman, but on a muggy Thursday night under the lights the Patriots made their mark.

Early on, it was an even and intense match. The Patriots struck first when a delay of game penalty cost the Big Reds an indirect kick close to the 18. A slight of hand trick gave the Patriots their first goal. Ian Thistlewaite gave the ball a tap to account for the first touch and Nick Claudio followed through with a blast to the left post with 17:35 remaining in the first half.

It wasn’t long until the Big Reds responded by taking advantage of their first opportunity at a one-on-one thanks to a Patriots’ hand ball inside the box a mere 25 seconds after the Patriots struck.

The Tim Stephens penalty kick skimmed the top post near the right corner of the goal, well out of the reach of Patriot goalie Connell Green to knot the score at one apiece.

The second half started fast, but it was GW that took control. Jake Stevens caught the defense off-guard and pushed the ball inside the 18 where he was met by PHS keeper Brent McGee. McGee dove to stop his shot, but a perfectly placed ball found the left corner of the net which proved to be the game-winner for the Patriots.

In the end, it came down to touches and finishing. GW took chances of their few opportunities and PHS just couldn’t find the right shot.

“GW played a good game,” Fosselman said. “They finished the ball when they had their chances. Our team tried hard, they just had a hard time putting the ball in the back of the net.”

The Big Reds had plenty of chances. PHS took 20 shots on goal to the Patriots’ 6, but it was a keeper’s game. Green had 15 saves for GW while McGee had 20 for the Big Reds.

PHS had more corner kicks too, with 6 to GW’s 3, while the Patriots had the edge in direct kicks with 14 to the Big Red’s 11.

Defensively the Big Reds were tough. The Patriots had a hard time getting across midfield, but their defense thwarted enough Big Red attacks to win the game.

“Our team played hard,” Fosselman said. We have a good team, we just have to keep believing in ourselves and keep doing what we do and we’ll be alright.”

PHS travels to Huntington on Saturday for a noon junior varsity start with the varsity following at 2 p.m. The Big Reds’ next home match will be against inner-city rival Parkersburg South on Tuesday.

Contact Matt Locke at mlocke@newsandsentinel.com