University’s Kellen Adams scores a goal against John Marshall on Thursday. 
University’s Kellen Adams scores a goal against John Marshall on Thursday. 
University’s Charlie Walker protects the ball against John Marshall on Thursday. 
University’s Justin Parsons protects the ball against John Marshall on Thursday. 
University’s Kellen Adams works the ball down the field against John Marshall on Thursday. 
University’s Riley Nett makes a play on the ball against John Marshall on Thursday. 
University’s Riley Nett makes a play on the ball against John Marshall on Thursday. 
University’s Drew Williams scores a goal against John Marshall on Thursday.
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The last time John Marshall High was in Morgantown, the Mohigans took command for a 13-0 rout of the Monarchs at Pony Lewis Field. Their visit to Mylan Pharmaceuticals Stadium was a similar story, closing out the night with a 13-1 loss to University (7-1).
What was going to be a humid evening turned into a pregame rain storm that delayed the 6 p.m. start time and cooled down the hilltops for the Hawks to unleash havoc on the Monarchs. Before the close of the first half, University netted seven goals and held John Marshall to just one shot.
“Games like this are tough,” coach Michael Smith said. “I was brutally honest with the starters that the focus and effort wasn’t there. It’s natural when you know going in that the competition isn’t up to the level you are, so we got those guys out fairly quickly.”
Justin Parsons got the Hawks on the board just before the 3-minute mark on an assist by Charlie Walker. Walker would then assist Drew Williams in the final seconds of the 7th minute for a goal of his own. Riley Nett, whom Smith sees as an up-and-coming playmaker, netted his first goal of the night off an assist by Walker in the 18th minute. Kellen Adams, Nett, Walker and Stefan DeMoss would each sink goals to end the half.
Before the half closed, University had an entirely new lineup.
“We stuck with the young guys (after that) to allow them to get some minutes against body types they’re not used to. It was better competition than some of the JV teams,” Smith said.
And the young guys impressed.
Diego Medellin came out in the opening minutes of the second half to bounce a shot off the keeper’s gloves before Tim Bailey headed in a goal of his own in the 53rd minute.
Dayne Bumgardner saved the Monarchs from facing another shutout at the hands of a Morgantown team, dropping in a shot three minutes later, but Evan Acciavatti responded shortly after with a slice up the middle to break the 10-goal mark for UHS. Medellin then picked up his second goal with the same move up the middle, beating the advancing keeper. Garrett Scardina and Christian Teets combined for the Hawks’ last two goals in the final 10 minutes to nail shut John Marshall’s coffin.
Bailey strikes
Bailey saw action outside of the box for the first time this season — and possibly the first time in his career — in the second half. He had one assist and one goal.
Smith is continually impressed with Bailey’s leadership, noting that Bailey is a “vocal leader.”
“We have three captains who all have their strengths, but Tim is motivating guys and making sure they’re where they’re supposed to be. He makes sure they’re at lifting and practice on time. That’s who we count on,” Smith said.
Grinding out wins
The Hawks are one game behind their undefeated season last year, but that’s not bad when a group loses key players and tries to incorporate younger guys into the fold. That being said, the dynamic had to change to a counter-attacking playbook.
“I don’t know that we have people filling the (open) positions. It’s definitely a different team,” Smith said. “We’re going to have to grind out wins. Some of our scores don’t look as good as the other teams around us. We do have goal scorers like Riley Nett, who’s doing pretty well. When Justin Parsons is in the zone, there’s no one better. And we have some young guys like Kellen Adams and Charlie Walker who are starting to step up. Those guys are going to find their way.”
Injury update
The Hawks are going to be without J.M. Jones for a while, according to Smith. In the group’s game at Spring Mills on Saturday, Jones sprained his ankle. The team is still waiting to see the extent of that injury.
Up next
The Hawks have one more game before next Thursday’s cross-town rivalry matchup with Morgantown – a home game against Class AAA non-conference foe Washington High. The Patriots (2-2-2) are without key players Michael Barr, Jacob Thaldorf, Killian Butera and Jackson Sigler due to graduation.
Luis Morales, Bryan Acosta and Gabriel Rayas are quick footed pick pockets who have combined for 45 steals with Morales leading the team with 17. Offensively, UHS will need to contain sophomore Jack Walker and Acosta who each have four goals. Acosta leads the team in shots and shots on goal with 24 and 12, respectively. Walker has taken 16 shots and put 11 on goal.
Senior John Riordan is going to be tough to beat as well. A keeper who doesn’t tire easily, in his six games he’s allowed just 10 goals and saved 36 for an 80 percent rating.
“Right now we’re just working on us. With it not being a sectional or conference game, it’s a perfect opportunity to work on what we do and prep ourselves which is still a work in progress,” Smith said
