October 05, 2007

No goals but good news

Hurricane, Parkersburg battle to scoreless tie

By Tommy R. Atkinson
Staff writer

HURRICANE — At least Hurricane knows where it stands a little more than a week before the postseason begins. The Redskins seem to be on pretty solid ground.

Hurricane repelled defending state champion Parkersburg to forge a scoreless tie Thursday night in a battle of state-ranked girls high school soccer teams. A crowd of about 100 attended at Hurricane High School.

Even though Hurricane (11-1-3, No. 10 in the state coaches association rankings) didn’t notch a win, it received a jolt of momentum for an ailing squad that is beginning to get its feet under it again.

“I thought we did really well,’’ said Hurricane senior co-captain Julianna Myatt. “We’ve had some rocky games and [Thursday night] we came out and played a full 80 minutes.

“I was impressed. We were prepared to play and I think we all knew going in we’d all have to step it up. I think every player tried their hardest and played a good game.’’

And not a moment too soon, as sectional tournament play begins Oct. 15. It was also a good showing against nemesis Parkersburg, which edged Hurricane 2-1 in last year’s regional final, one step away from the state tournament.

The Redskins have been hobbled by injuries to at least five starters, including two who are lost for the season, and have had to plug holes with inexperienced but talented players.

“I think it was a tremendous boost for the team,’’ said Hurricane coach Dick Green of the effort. “We’ve had a number of injuries and we’re sorting people around [in] different spots. I thought they really came together. Every player we had out there had an exceptional game. It’s just great to see them out there playing with that much enthusiasm.

“They didn’t show some of the emotion in some of the earlier games. They got a little frustrated and down because of some of the injuries. I think they’re really starting to put it back together again. To have this positive of a result and players step up like that, this will give them a lot of momentum. We would like to have had a win, but hopefully we’ll see [Parkersburg] again in the regional.’’

Parkersburg coach Mike Lockney believes that is a distinct possibility. “It wouldn’t surprise me at all if we see [Hurricane] again,’’ Lockney said. “They play with great intensity, their touches are good, they spread the field really well and they attack you a lot of different ways, so you really have to cover a lot of things defensively.’’

Thursday’s result was indicative of each team’s top-notch defense. Hurricane has only allowed six goals all year with 11 shutouts while the No. 3 Big Reds (15-1-2) have surrendered nine goals and also shut out 11 opponents.

Parkersburg’s best chance to score in Thursday’s opening half deflected off the right post while Hurricane lofted a looping shot that just went over the cross bar.

The Redskins’ second-half scoring opportunities came early as sophomore Josie Crouch’s header was just outside the right post and Myatt’s attempt was just wide right. Both shots came inside the penalty box.

Hurricane sophomore keeper Jordan Brock, who entered after intermission and finished with two saves, made a diving stop on Parkersburg junior Taylor Bryant’s shot at the right post about midway through the final half. Redskins junior keeper Leanna Payne, who played the first half, turned in one save.

At the four- and two-minute marks, respectively, both teams sent shots on goal but each keeper made easy scoops. Bryant sent a crossing pass into the box with under a minute to go, but Hurricane defenders cleared it out. Parkersburg senior keeper Kelsey Graham stopped three shots.