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Long Layoff No Problem For Maroon Knights In Regional vs. Williamstown

By NICK HENTHORN 3 min read

WHEELING -- With a bye in the first round of regional games in the WVSSAC Class AA/A Region 1 girls soccer tournament, the Wheeling Central Maroon Knights, seeded first in their region, had to knock off some rust in their game Thursday against No. 4 Williamstown on the pitch at 16th Street Field.

In theory, anyways.

In practice it was a methodical 9-0 victory over the Yellow Jackets which will send Central onwards and upwards into the regional finals next Wednesday as the Maroon Knights look for an opportunity to defend their Class AA/A girls soccer championship. Wheeling Central will face No. 2 Oak Glen.

"Had a little bit of time off after our last game last Thursday, so we had a week to prepare," Wheeling Central head coach Bill Konkle said after the game. "Was a little worried how they would come out, but they came out pretty fast and aggressive and got to score a few goals early."

Elizabeth Steele started the day's scoring, converting a tapper after a pass from Loni Kusic in the sixth minute of Thursday's action.

Steele was the set-up woman next, lofting a pass over Elah Konkle's shoulder for a breakaway look at the net. Konkle scored in the 14th minute for a 2-0 lead.

It was Kusic's turn next, receiving a pass from Steele and taking one touch to dart away from a defender before blasting a shot by the keeper for a 3-0 lead in the 20th minute.

Goals were served up in quick succession next, with Kusic scoring again in the 23rd minute and Steele scoring again in the 24th minute.

Wheeling Central led 5-0 at halftime.

"All week we were working on our possession and trying to move the ball quickly to create some opportunities to score," coach Konkle said. "Being that we put up a lot of goals tonight, it shows the work that they did all week had paid off."

In the second half, Aylin Yoho, Loni Kusic, Maddie Steele and Addie Jackson all scored for a 9-0 final tally.

Goalkeeper Bella Fitzsimmons recorded three saves, seldom called upon as Central controlled possession for most of the contest. Thursday was Fitzsimmons’ 48th career shutout.

After claiming the state title last year, Bill Konkle feels like his team is prepared to take another crack at championship gold.

"The girls are really excited," Konkle said. "We played a tough schedule to get to this point, so we are hopefully ready and prepared. They’re really excited to try and get back to Beckley."

Starting at /week.