Big Reds earn berth in finals

By MATT LOCKE

Saturday, November 03, 2007

BECKLEY — Parkersburg’s Taylor Bryant scored the match's only goal in the second half of Parkersburg’s 1-0 win over Wheeling Park in the state semifinal match at the YMCA Sports Complex in Beckley on Friday, earning a spot in its third consecutive state title match.

In a game that yielded a total of only three shots on goal, Parkersburg (21-1-2) took advantage of its only clean look in the 57th minute, which proved to be the difference over Wheeling Park (16-6-3).

Bryant fielded a pass from Katie Roberts and carried the ball into Patriot territory. As Bryant made her way to the center of the field, space opened up and she fired towards the goal.

“I thought it was going right for (Patriot keeper Joanne Blalock) and I didn't think it was going in,” Bryant said of her game-winning goal, “but it went right through her legs.”

The shot caught Blalock off-guard and the ball slipped past and found the net.

“Luck comes to those who create the chances sometimes,” PHS coach Mike Lockney said. “Their goalkeeper mishandled that ball. It was kind of bad conditions, it was slippery, but (Bryant) took a great shot and it was unexpected.

“It’s amazing how many games are won on just one mistake.”

Parkersburg had the upper-hand in the battle at midfield, thanks to play from midfielders Katie Roberts, Amelia Hammell and Brooke Logston. As the first half wore on, neither team had the ability to attack the goal from the right angle.

Parkersburg attempted to make its way in from the outside, but came up short thanks to a tough Patriot defense led by Sarah Bizanovich.

Wheeling Park breached the Big Red keeper box as time was running out, and fired the half’s only shot on goal with seconds remaining on the clock, but PHS goal keeper Kelsey Graham was there to make the save.

The Big Reds have been a second half team all season and this game was no exception. Around the 50th minute, Parkersburg mounted an offensive by creating several opportunities, by way of direct kicks and crosses. The Big Reds kept the ball in the attacking third. Each time the Patriots cleared a threat, the Big Red midfielders sent the ball back towards the goal.

The Patriots stepped up and forced the Big Reds back, that is, until Bryant’s unexpected shot splashed the net. After the goal, Park mounted an offensive attack of its own, but the Big Reds’ back line consisting of Emma Levin-Nielsen, Tara Cheeseman and Megan Hurley pushed the Patriot attacks out of range.

Wheeling Park put one more shot on goal as time ran out, but the Big Reds were able to keep the Patriots from finding the net to secure its spot in the championship match.

The win tied the Big Reds current record for most wins in a season with 21, but they still have a chance to set a new record when they take on Jefferson in the finals today at 11 a.m. Jefferson eliminated George Washington, 2-0, in Friday’s other semifinal.