MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The University High girls’ soccer team welcomed Class AA Grafton to steamy Mylan Pharmaceuticals Stadium last night for the Hawks’ Senior Night match, and while UHS finally prevailed 2-0 behind a strong second-half showing, it was the flamethrower sun that was the clear first-half winner.
In that first half, played under a brutal evening heat, the organized and disciplined Bearcats (5-6-2), especially senior midfielder Jacinda Devart, maintained a strong defensive posture, surrendering few chances and keeping play in the middle third. Neither team could muster the energy needed to force or capitalize on turnovers, and play was decidedly and understandably choppy and slow.
The Hawks (9-4-1) generated their first real scoring threat in the 24th minute on a loose ball after their first corner kick, but Grafton keeper Jocelyn Countryman handled the hard shot from inside the box cleanly. Late in the half, some nifty Hawks one-touch passing at midfield led to a long right-side run and effective cross into the box, but the finish was lofted over the crossbar.
UHS coach Graham Peace, by positive personality and positive choice, is not a fire-and-brimstone motivator, but after the break — and after the sun finally surrendered behind the hills — the Hawks seemed a different team. Winning most 50-50 balls and 1-v-1 battles, University tilted the field and began generating quality offensive build up which led to a goal within the first two minutes of the half. Freshman Emily Lattea squeezed through a trio of Grafton defenders, streaked in alone toward the left post, then tucked in a left-footed, low strike into the far corner for a lovely goal and a 1-0 Hawks lead.
Grafton continued on its heels for several minutes as the Hawks maintained their attack, but then a quick counter punch in the 54th minute nearly knotted the match. As a Bearcat forward split the defense from 25 yards out, UHS keeper Lizzy Edwards correctly came off her line, but a lofted shot threatened to waft over the diminutive junior. However, a quick backward shuffle and quicker leap allowed Edwards to get fingers on the shot at its apex, which slowed it down and allowed the keeper to quickly dive back and smother the ball before it could roll over the line.
It was a 10-bell save and allowed the Hawks to maintain their lead, which was doubled in the 67th minute when back-up keeper Rachel Works, pressed into service from injuries and fatigue to the short UHS bench, headed a perfect corner kick from junior Heather Brunner from five yards out right at the front goalpost to put the match to bed.
After the match, a modest Works described her goal.
“All these girls work so hard and have played so long that they know exactly what to do,” she said. “Honestly, they just told me where to get to, and Heather hit it perfectly. I literally just stood there and let it go off my head and in.”
While he’ll gladly take the win, especially on Senior Night, Peace knows the weather might’ve been the real winner.
“The heat played a major role in the quality of soccer the teams were able to deliver, especially in the first half,” he admitted. “The season is so compressed, so we’re playing or practicing nearly every day, and the weather is just catching up to everybody. Grafton was tremendous defensively, and they kept us frustrated because we couldn’t break them down. But we stayed patient and finally got our break and took advantage. Sometimes, that’s all you need to win. I’m just so glad that we could come out with a win for our seniors (Kaitlyn Aucremanne, Isabella Bowers, Tara Hammack, Talia Kniceley, Kara Lobban, Madison Wesolowsky and Kassidy Wolfe), who have played with such joy, class and leadership for us all year. They’re all tremendous soccer players, but better people,
and we’re very proud of them.”
The Hawks host Jefferson at 11:45 a.m. Saturday.
