Published: November 05, 2009 11:33 pm      

Panthers meet Weir in semis

GARDNER — This morning at approximately 11 a.m., the PikeView girls soccer team will make its debut in the West Virginia state tournament. The Region III champions will face the Region I winners, Weir.

The Red Riders come into their second consecutive tournament with a record of 15-3-3 and the memory of a loss to Charleston Catholic in the semifinals last year.

“One of our goals for this year was to get back down here,” said Weir head coach Chris LeFever.

“They’re playing in terms of getting an opportunity to play (Charleston) Catholic again this year in the state championship game,” said PikeView head coach Sam Hill. “I think that’s kind-of been their focus for the entire season, so they may overlook us a little bit.”

Hill admitted he did not know much about Weir.

“We only had two common opponents,” Hill said. “We both played Charleston Catholic and Sissonville. They tied Catholic 1-1 and lost to Sissonville 1-0 and both Charleston Catholic and Sissonville kind-of had their way with us. So I think that somewhat speaks of the quality of their team.”

Ironically, LeFever admitted he did not know much about PikeView either.

“I’ve met Sam Hill over the last few years because he’s been coaching, a very nice guy, seems very knowledgeable,” LeFever said. “I know this is the third year of their program. Other than that I don’t know too much about them.”

LeFever declined to comment on his team’s formation or tactics. But he did speak about the talent and skill his team has on the defensive end.

“As far as our defense goes, we only have 11 goals against us the entire season,” LeFever said. “We’re at 12 shutouts right now. Goals-against average is .53.”

One of the keys to those shutouts has been the play of sophomore goalkeeper Taylor Gianangeli.

“We had a senior keeper last season, so this is actually her first season,” LeFever said. “She’s played every game. She’s very strong.

“We also have a very strong defense. Megan Duke is one of my captains. She’s a senior. She’s our sweeper. I also have our other midfielder who is a defensive center mid is Kassie Robinson, both very strong players.”

PikeView also knows something about winning with defense. After pitching a shutout against Bluefield in the sectional final, they held off a second-half charge from Pocahontas County to win the region.

Goalkeeper Amanda Presley comes into the tournament with a goals-against average of .95 and the Panthers have averaged 1.05 per game. Hill knows her team will have to step it up a notch in a game where goals could be at a premium.

“Defensively, you’ve got to be organized and not give them that many opportunities,” Hill said. “We let them get a cheap goal, those are harder to get back it seems like than a goal that a team works for.”

Offensively, the Red Riders have found the net 52 times in their 21 games. They are led by senior Emily Lescallette and juniors Milena Maragos and Nikki Robinson.

“It’s actually very nice because anytime that we have higher-scoring games, our goals are very well distributed, three, four, even five players,” LeFever said. “We don’t have one finisher. We have at least three that can finish very well.”

PikeView’s attack is led by Samantha Wood, who has 18 goals and 16 assists this season. Laura Hill has 10 goals and Mariah Farley has seven of the Panthers’ 59 strikes. That goal-scoring ability could prove crucial.

“It’s likely to be a one-goal game, 1-0, 2-1 type of game and you don’t get many opportunities,” Hill said. “So that ball presents itself, somebody needs to be able to take advantage of it.”

The Panthers know they will be facing a difficult contest today. The Red Riders are preparing for the same.

“Anyone that can make it to the final four for state, it’s going to be an intense game,” LeFever said. “One of the most important things is we stick to our tactics. As long as we stick to our tactics and do our best at controlling the game, feel out PikeView a little bit the first 20 minutes, see what they’re capable of, adjust if we need to and try to capitalize on any weak spots that they may have.”

Although LeFever has strength in the offensive and defensive ends of the field, he sees the game being won in the midfield.

“I’m a strong believer in controlling the middle of the field,” LeFever said. “If you can control the middle, you’ll create good opportunities.”

Hill said the key to victory for his team will be, “Taking advantage of the opportunities to put the ball in the back of the net. That’s kind-of been the story of this team for the last two years. We’ve done a much better job this year.

“But against a high-quality opponent, you don’t get that many opportunities and we’ve got to take advantage of every chance we can get ....”

— Contact Jed Lockett

at jlockett@bdtonline.com