Flying Eagles drop 2-0 decision to Parkersburg

By Dan Stillwell
Register-Herald Sports Writer

It was the ultimate acid test for Woodrow Wilson’s young girls soccer team.

Playing defending state champion Parkersburg in their season opener, the Flying Eagles held the powerful Big Reds to just four shots on goal Friday afternoon.

Parkersburg made two of those shots, however, to capture a 2-0 defensive struggle at the YMCA’s Paul Cline Stadium.

Sophomore Allison Feathers took a Taylor Bryant pass and scored from the left side in the 33rd minute and Parkersburg had a lead it would not relinquish.

Feathers moved in from the right, then crossed to sophomore Alex Bush in front of the goal in the 66th minute for the second goal.

“I don’t know if we took advantage of this great field, with all the width,” coach Mike Lockney said. “But overall we played well.”

Woodrow started a young team, with six sophomores and three freshmen.

Another sophomore, midfielder Katy Carte, did not play because of an injury.

“Carte is an excellent player,” coach Paulette Umberger said. “But we never played a game last year when (graduated standouts) Erica Alderman and Tracy Speilman were both healthy, so I don’t want to make any excuses.”

The Flying Eagles performed well on defense except for breakdowns on the two goals and on two other plays. Keeper Erin Hickok came racing out of the goal both times to break up Big Red threats.

On offense, Woodrow faired poorly, failing to get a shot on goal.

Parkersburg played without four suspended players.

“We have a lot of depth,” Lockney said. “We don’t have a lot of numbers, but our top 16 or 18 are pretty good.”

Umberger said Woodrow needs a lot of work.

“We can look at what we did wrong today and start fixing it,” she said. “We started one senior and one junior, so we’re young, but that’s not an excuse.

“Last year we had two very strong leaders in Erica and Tracy, but right now we don’t have anybody who will take over. Nobody said to give them the ball and let them be in control.

“We’re young and we’re going to learn. It takes time.”

Woodrow jumps back into action at 10 a.m. today against Midland Trail at Paul Cline Stadium.

Beckley Register-Herald

Published: August 17, 2007