Local Sports, University

University High boys’ soccer team advances to third straight OVAC title match

WEIRTON, W. Va. — Riley Nett found the back of the net two times Wednesday, leading the University High boys’ soccer team to the finals of the Ohio Valley Athletic Conference (OVAC) tournament.

Riley scored twice and teammate Justin Parsons broke a 1-1 tie in the second half with his own goal to send the Hawks to the championship match on Saturday.

It’s the third consecutive season the Hawks (10-3) will play for the OVAC title. Their opponent will be the winner of the Morgantown High-Wheeling Park match.

Both teams had trouble connecting early, but that changed in the 22nd minute when the Riders took a shot that was pushed away by Hawks goal keeper Timmy Bailey, but it was rebounded and put into the net by Weir.

Eight minutes later, Nett got the Hawks on the board when he looped a shot past Weir’s keeper to send the game tied at halftime.

In the second half, Parsons found himself open at the top of the 18-yard box and gave UHS the lead with a goal and then Nett scored again in the 52nd minute when he picked up a loose ball in front of the net and put it in. Bailey finished with three saves.