BECKLEY — With a 2-0 victory over Washington on Saturday, the Morgantown boys’ soccer team are now officially the 2021 Class AAA state champions.
Morgantown came out strong to begin the game and was rewarded in the 23rd minute when senior forward and captain Caden Carpenter slotted home the go-ahead goal, his team-leading 20th of the season, to put his team ahead 1-0.
Not even 10 minutes later, Vivek Sriram sent a free kick into a dangerous area inside the box that was buried by Conor Brumbaugh after a scrum in front of the net. Brumbaugh put his team ahead 2-0 going into the half with his second goal in as many games.
Despite a lack of goals in the second half, it was the defensive display by the Mohigans that helped win them the championship. Washington was only able to tally one shot-on-goal during the entire game while Morgantown attempted five.
From the beginning of the game to the final whistle, the Mohigans were able to out-class Washington in nearly every phase of the pitch. Goalkeeper Carter Cave didn’t even record one save during the game due to the lack of shots attempted on goal. A credit to his defense, but coach Sam Snyder had all the praise for his keeper after the game.
“Carter Cave is the best kept secret in the state as a goalie and was sure throughout,” Snyder said.
This victory over Washington comes after the Mohigans were beaten 4-2 by the Patriots in the regular season. Snyder made the necessary adjustments and it showed throughout the entire game and season.
“I am really proud of the boys,” he said. “They fought through a lot of adversity and we struggled to find our identity throughout the season. But by the end we were a complete, defensive team that could punish opponents with counter attacks and set-pieces which is pretty uncommon for us.”
Morgantown caps off their dream-season with a 16-5 record, a total tally of 77 goals scored and only 26 allowed in 21 games played.
“These boys forged their own path, and excelled at what they were great at,” Snyder said. “This was a special team that went on a run, and myself and the coaching staff couldn’t be more proud.”
This is the sixth state title for MHS in boys’ soccer (1989, 1999, 2000, 2014 and 2015).
— Story by Michael Griffith
