Hurricane, Parkersburg win soccer championships

Oct 26, 2007 @ 12:31 AM

By DAVID WALSH

HUNTINGTON -- Hurricane's boys and Parkersburg's girls won championships in the West Virginia Region IV soccer tournament played Thursday night on a muddy field at Huntington High.

Hurricane, which had lost twice to two-time defending state champion Parkersburg during the season, turned the tables on the Big Reds this time. The No. 9 Redskins (20-3-1) opened a 2-0 lead at half and went on to post a 3-1 victory to secure their first trip to the state tournament in school history along with a 20-win season.

Parkersburg blanked Winfield 1-0 to win the girls' crown and get the chance to defend their title next weekend in Beckley.

"The other ones don't count. It's the one you play," Hurricane coach Jim Dagostine said. "I don't know how many people coming down here thought we'd win. My coaches and players did."

Brooks Paine and Matt Hale had the first-half goals for Hurricane. Cameron Keenan, who got the assist on Hale's goal, scored early in the second half to extend the lead to 3-0. Parkersburg (19-3-2) applied pressure down the stretch, but didn't break through until a goal by Kevin Wydra at the 75:54 mark.

When the game ended, Hurricane fans came onto the field and formed a line at midfield. The Redskins ran through it, slapping hands with the fans on each side and then they headed to the sideline to thank those who made the trip.

"This is big for our seniors," said Kennan. "They've worked so hard their whole careers. We knew we had a chance."

Dagostine knows his players made a statement with this win over one of the Mountain State's best squads. The Big Reds were in the regional title game for the fourth straight year.

"When you talk soccer in West Virginia, Parkersburg is the model program," Dagostine said. "I tell my players, 'never wish it was easy. Whoever you beat makes it special.' This makes the feeling extra special. We didn't back up and play it safe. Hurricane soccer is making progress."

The State Tournament is next Friday and Saturday at the Beckley YMCA Complex. Hurricane will play the Region I winner in the first round.

Parkersburg (21-1-2) will meet Wheeling Park in the first girls semifinal. The Generals finish 17-2-4.

Alex Bush beat Winfield goalkeeper Ellen Lawman at 9:54 in the first half for the game's only goal. It appeared Lawman would make the stop, but the ball got past her and inside the post.

"I got off a low shot," Bush said of the left-footed drive. "I wanted to get it on goal. I thought she had it. Winfield's a good team. The third straight year in the state means a lot."

Big Reds coach Mike Lockney said field conditions made it tough for both squads.

"It was real frustrating," he said. "All year we feature the pass and combinations. By the time we get to this game, it's almost impossible. We just tried to play the ball forward. If you pass well enough, you're going to get a chance. Alex placed the ball just right. Nobody was going to get to it."

Winfield coach Marshall Hoff said his team had to change its style.

"We knew there'd be unpredictability," he said. "We went more with the long ball game. It should open things up. A half step is all it takes."

BOYS

PARKERSBURG 0 1 -- 1

HURRICANE 2 1 -- 3

H -- Paine (un), 4:24.

H -- M. Hale (Keenan), 12:18.

H -- Keenan (Suzuki), 56:12.

P -- Wydra (Brown), 75:54.

Shots: P 4, H 7. Saves: B. McGee (P) 6; B. Hale (H) 3. Corner kicks: P 4, H 1.

GIRLS

WINFIELD 0 0 -- 0

PARKERSBURG 1 0 -- 1

P -- Bush (un), 9:54.

Shots: W 3, P 5. Saves: Lawman (W) 4; Graham (P) 3. Corner kicks: W 0, P 4.