Four PHS girls make all-state soccer

By MATT LOCKE, Sports Writer

PARKERSBURG — Parkersburg High School’s state runner-up girls soccer team placed four of its members on the all-state soccer team selected by the West Virginia Sports Writers Association.

Earning all-state honors for the Big Reds were senior forward Taylor Bryant, senior midfielder Katie Roberts, junior midfielder Brooke Logston and junior defender Emma Levin-Nielsen.

PHS has played in the last three state championship matches, winning the title in 2006.

Named to the second team was Parkersburg South senior forward Kelsey Watkins.

For the first time in the sportswriter’s all-state history, a defender was chosen for the captain of the first-team in George Washington’s Megan Johnson.

As a defender, Johnson was the stopping force in George Washington’s 2007 state semifinal run, where they were upended by eventual state-champion Jefferson. Junior midfielder Cathleen Barber also earned second-team honors for GW.

Jefferson, who defeated Parkersburg with a 2-1 shootout victory, also saw several of its athletes don the first-team shroud. Jefferson’s Shannon Conway earned first team honors as a defender in her final season, while teammate Sarah Cogswell makes her first team all-state debut as a sophomore midfielder. Two more Cougars made second team appearances including senior midfielder and second-team captain Tiffany Banks along with junior defender Katie Perry.

Kate Armentrout gained first-team honors as a midfielder for Mountain State Academy. Armentrout proved herself by gaining a starting spot on MSU’s boys team.

Wheeling Park, who was defeated by Parkersburg 1-0 in state semifinal action, also had two first-team selections. Senior midfielder Lauren Thomas and senior defender Sarah Bizanovich finish their careers with first-team accolades.

Winfield, who fell to the hands of Parkersburg 1-0 in the regional finals earned first-team honors in senior goalkeeper Ellen Lawman and senior forward Leann McKay.

Midland Trail’s Samantha Blume earned the other first-team goalkeeper spot. Nitro’s Brittany Doss gained a first team spot as a forward along with Sissonville’s Kaitlyn Snyder.

Martinsburg also saw two all-state selections in first-team midfielder Sarah Talbot and second team forward Kristen Marshall.

For Berkeley Springs, Amanda Walton earned a second team goalkeeper spot along with Charleston Catholic’s Christa Bronkowski.. Rebacca Trump, also from Berkeley Springs, earned a second team midfielder spot along with Shady Spring’s Theadora Serna.

Tesla Akers was Princeton’s only all-state selection at the midfielder position. Danielle Gesse-Hanlin of Greenbrier East made the second team as a defender along with Bluefield’s Sarah Hudak and Hurricane’s Bre Johnson.