Parkersburg girls shut out Winfield

· Early goal sends Big Reds back to state tournament

October 26, 2007

By Tommy R. Atkinson
Staff writer

HUNTINGTON — Parkersburg overcame the elements early to make its way back to the state tournament.

Sophomore forward Alex Bush scored 10 minutes, 24 seconds into the game while the footing was still somewhat negotiable and the defending state champion Big Reds held off Winfield for a 1-0 victory in the Region 4 girls final Thursday evening. A crowd of about 120 attended at Huntington High School.

Parkersburg (21-1-2), second in the final state coaches association rankings, will take on Wheeling Park at 9 a.m. Friday in the semifinals at the YMCA Youth Sports Complex in Beckley.

Park defeated Fairmont Senior, last year’s state runner-up, 1-0 in the Region 1 final.

Big Reds junior forward Chelsey Maiden sent a pass to her right as she was dribbling down the middle of the field Thursday. A Winfield defender was between Bush and the net, but the defender missed the ball and Bush sent a shot just inside the right post under Winfield senior keeper Ellen Lawman, who made a diving attempt, for a 1-0 lead with 30:16 left in the opening half. Lawman finished with six saves.

The field’s soggy conditions made passing and dribbling nearly impossible with several puddles dotting the field. A pass ahead would die in the mud and water several yards from the intended receiver.

“She just barely got that ball because we just couldn’t get any footing,’’ said Parkersburg coach Mike Lockney of Bush’s goal. “It’s real frustrating. All season long we teach the kids to pass, all these different combinations, here’s how you set it up and it’s almost impossible to do that stuff on this field.’’

“We just had to realize which parts of the field were worse and we played the ball harder and faster through there,’’ said Bush. “We tried not to put many balls on the ground.’’

No. 4 Winfield (18-2-4) did not send a shot on goal until 1:57 was left before halftime. The Generals could only generate three shots on goal in the second half, which was played much more physical, with three yellow cards handed out.

“The passes fall dead,’’ said fourth-year Winfield coach Marshall Hoff of the field conditions. “You get passes falling short [and] you get frustration setting in.’’

Parkersburg senior keeper Kelsey Graham stopped four shots, including a diving save in the second half.