MORGANTOWN – In a critical Class AAA boys soccer matchup to determine the top two seeds in next week’s Region I Section II tournament, the Bridgeport Indians visited the University Hawks under the lights Thursday night on Baker’s Ridge.
Bridgeport (13-3-4) found the back of the net within three minutes of the opening whistle, and the lone goal of the game, scored by senior midfielder Will Madden, would prove to be the difference in the contest.
With the win, the Indians secured the No. 1 seed throughout the Class AAA Region I Section II tournament and will hold home-field advantage through the sectional title match. On Tuesday, they will host Monday’s winner between No. 4 Buckhannon-Upshur and No. 5 Preston.
University (9-7-2) will be the No. 2 seed next week and host No. 3 Fairmont Senior on Tuesday evening at Mylan Pharmaceuticals Stadium. Kickoff time is to be determined.
“We switched into a different defensive look a few games ago, and there are still some kinks we’re ironing out,” UHS head coach Michael Smith said. “I thought other than the mistake we made at the beginning of the game that let the goal in our performance was something I can be proud of. We still lack a few things regarding finishing in the final third and will need to correct some things in case we see Bridgeport again next week in sectionals.”
Moments after the opening kickoff, the Hawks threatened the Indians’ goal but could not find the net early on. Bridgeport quickly transitioned the ball from its defensive line to the midfield into space, eventually finding a pass down the right wing.
A cutback pass from the byline found the feet of Madden, and he one-timed the ball into the top-left corner with his right foot to give Bridgeport the lead just 2:10 into the game.
“We played a much better first half than we did second half and were fortunate to get a goal early,” Bridgeport head coach Keith Dumas said. “They’re a solid team all around, but their midfield is particularly talented and dominated the game, in my opinion. We tried something new in the second half and then switched back to our original plan, and I think it threw us off a bit, but our defense was tough tonight, and our keeper (Andrew Dumas) was great as well.”
The Hawks held the ball for nearly the entire second half, with the midfield trio of Davion Huckabee, Nate Lindsay, and Brady Grubb dictating most of the possession.
UHS struggled to finish any positive build-up plays that resulted in chances to score. With 10 minutes left in the contest, Huckabee nearly found the equalizer for the Hawks, finding himself through with only the keeper to beat. But a Bridgeport defender blocked the shot with an excellent effort to preserve the lead.
Despite holding the ball for most of the second half, the Hawks were unsuccessful in finding a goal and tying the game, dropping the contest 1-0.
Bridgeport will head home on Tuesday to host the second semifinal for Region I Section II and will host the title match with a victory.
Coach Smith and his Hawks know how difficult their road will be beginning on Tuesday when the talented Polar Bears visit for an elimination game.
“Fairmont is similar to Bridgeport,” Smith said. “They have a strong defense and move the ball well out of the back. They might not be as strong in their attack as years past, but they’re a talented, well-coached squad and can hurt you if you don’t execute the way you need to against them.”
