WHEELING — Joseph Biafora’s header in overtime handed the University High boys’ soccer team its second consecutive OVAC championship.
Early in the overtime period, Mason Shockley gained possession of a deep throw in and sent a cross into the box.
Biafora leaped into the air and headed the ball past Wheeling Park goal keeper Zach Calvert for the 1-0 victory that kept the Hawks (11-0) bid for an undefeated season alive.
“It was a great goal,” UHS head coach Dustin Talton said. “We have great senior leadership. Mason Shockley put the ball in on the wing and he is another guy we rely heavily on. Him taking it upon himself to go down in the corner and play that cross to another guy we count on, as a coach, that makes my job easy when those guys put that effort.
“For (Biafora), to keep his composure and his head, because he missed a shot at the end of regulation, his head was down. He made the next one count and that was a good moment for him.”
UHS goal keeper Justin Parsons made nine saves.
“It feels great and we are still in the emotion right now and it hasn’t sunk in yet,” University head coach Dustin Talton said. “I am proud of these guys and their perseverance. We have been winning, but we have had to work through some stuff as a group.
“It is a big positive for us to persevere and I thought we played an excellent game.”
Girls’ soccer
Parkersburg South 3
University 1
ST. CLAIRSVILLE, Ohio — The victory handed the Patriots the OVAC title.
Stephanie Chmiel scored on a penalty kick for the Hawks.
UHS (12-2-1) goal keeper Corinne Grabow had nine saves.
