Weir Shuts Out Tyler
WEIRTON -- Many positives can come from an 11-0 boys soccer sectional contest to prepare the winning team for the next round.
Weir is hoping that is the case after winning its Region One, Section One opener over Tyler Consolidated on Monday. For one, it marked the first time this season that the third-seeded Red Riders (6-10) defeated any opponent by more than two goals.
"We actually have not had a big win all season," Weir head coach Matt Kopp said. "We normally don't have to play this game because we're normally in the top two seeds. I'm a little disappointed in that, but it also was good to get a little confidence back in them. Our second half of the season was rough. We played Morgantown, Wheeling Park, Fairmont Senior and so on. I was glad we were able to come out and take advantage in a game where we needed to take advantage and do what they were supposed to do."
Weir definitely took advantage early and often. It led 4-0 before the 30-minute in the first half and 7-0 at halftime. Leading the charge was Antonio Pittman, who collected a pair of goals and two assists.
"I was very proud of him. He was able to get those goals and an assist within the first five or so minutes in the game," Kopp said. "He's a freshman and one of the better freshmen we've had in the last few years. He sees the game and controls the game as a center mid striker. He kind of works the game and was a big reason why we were able to take advantage early."
Jacob Morgan also scored twice. Other goals came from Michael Iafrate, Johnny Kirlangitis, Dante Bruno, Christian Flannigan and Alex Orris. Bruno also had two assists, while one each were recorded by Iafrate, Dominic Guiddy and Brayden Lawton. The final two goals were own goals by Tyler Consolidated.
Goalkeeper Johnathan Howard, who averages 8.6 saves per game, did not need to make one Monday, as Tyler did not have a shot on goal.
UP NEXT
Weir: Travels to face second-seeded Oak Glen on Thursday. The game will start 30 minutes after the girls contests that begins at 5 p.m. The Golden Bears bested the Red Riders, 4-3, on Sept. 14 at Weir.
"It was a weird game. By the time we really got our lineup in, we were already down by two or three," Kopp said. "Obviously, there are no guarantees. It can go either way, especially during playoff time. We think it could and should, but you never know. They're good enough to beat us. If we lose, it won't be because we didn't deserve it. Their goalie (Jacob Clark) can easily keep us out because we didn't do enough to beat him."
Girls
W.Va. Class AA/A
Region One, Section One
Madonna 8, Magnolia 1
WELLSBURG -- Angelina Spickard produced four goals, leading the No. 3 seed Madonna girls soccer team to a victory against No. 6 seed Magnolia.
Bella Pulice, Liv Bine and Ella Wingett collected a goal and an assist each for Madonna, while Julia Wingett contributed a goal. Also, Sydney Crawford, Kristina Lesho and Sofia-Teresa DiBacco delivered an assist each.
Lexi Williams tallied the lone goal for the Blue Eagles and was unassisted. Marley Aliff finished the night with 10 saves in goal.
With the win, Madonna will play No. 2 seed Weir in the semifinals at 6 p.m. Thursday at Jimmy Carey Stadium.
Ohio Division II
Morgan d. Harrison Central
MCCONNELSVILLE -- The Raiders blew open a one-goal game with three goals in the second half and finished the shutout of the Huskies.
Morgan was fueled by four different goal scorers.
VOLLEYBALL
Division III
Coshocton d. Bellaire 25-11, 25-11, 25-17
COSHOCTON -- The Redskins easily advanced to the sectional co-final by taking out Bellaire in three sets.
The Big Reds were led by Bryanna Beckett's 10 assists, five digs and three kills. Jayden Lowe added five digs and three kills. Gianna Schmidt had six digs, two kills and a block. Gracelyn Maupin added 10 digs and two aces. Jenna Miller added seven digs and Alexis Morgan was charted for seven digs and three aces.
Division IV
Monroe Central d. River 25-4, 25-11, 25-15
WOODSFIELD -- Monroe Central advanced to a date with Shenandoah for a trip to the district tournament after easily dispatching county-rival River.
The Seminoles were led by Haylyn Hiles' 10 kills. Abby Thompson had nine kills, while Kynzi Bishop stuffed the stat sheet with 11 assists, nine points and two aces. Trista Morris had eight kills, nine points, two aces and eight digs. Kalista Friday had nine digs. Kyra English added 13 points, two aces and nine digs.