7 PHS girls make all-state soccer

By MATT LOCKE, Sports Writer

PARKERSBURG — For the last three seasons, the Parkersburg High School soccer programs are among the state’s most successful teams and have once again reaped several awards via the West Virginia High School Coaches Association 2007 All-State teams.

At the top of the list are the Big Red girls team. Parkersburg girls coach Mike Lockney is the 2007 coach of the year and Katie Roberts is the 2007 co-defender of the year.

The Big Reds girls took up seven first team spots including defenders Emma Levin-Nielsen and Tara Cheeseman and Chelsey Maiden at forward. Amelia Hammell, Brooke Logston and Katie Roberts were chosen as midfielders.

Wood County owned the goalkeeper spots with Brent McGee of Parkersburg and Derik Ayers from Parkersburg South taking first team honors. McGee was also rewarded with the goalkeeper of the year award.

Tim Stephens of PHS reserved the spot as co-defender of the year. Teammate Michael Pitrolo was chosen as a first team midfielder along with Parkersburg South’s Doug Teter.

Parkersburg South forward Kelsey Watkins was awarded with a first-team appearance while teammates Mackenzie Bourgeois (defender) and Taylor Bush (midfielder) were awarded second team honors. Ravenswood forward Katie Belcher earned a spot on the second team as well.

Ripley’s Jimmy Hollingsworth earned a spot as a second-team goalkeeper and South’s Trenton Tunnell was chosen as a second-team defender.

Three Ravenswood booters earned spots on the second team including defender Keith Cox, Forward Jesse Burton and Midfielder Cole Gurtis. Other area second teamers were St. Marys’ Drew Casto and Tyler Consolidated’s Tim Bowen.