Submitted photo
The Elkins High School girls soccer team faces East Fairmont at 11:30 a.m. today in the Class AA-A state tournament in Beckley. Team members include seniors Darby Bailey, Maddie Belan, Karah Bennett, Layla Fletcher, Haylie Doyle, Addy Cogar, London Frame and Erin Collins; juniors Lilly Betler, Audriana Shelton and Allison Lindsey; sophomores Talia Nucilli, Greylyn Belcher and Ziah George; and freshmen Caroline Lee, Gabrielle Dempsey, Kapri Lloyd, Lillian Doyle, Averie Mongold, Sara Lipscomb, Savannah Rowan, Lilah Frame, Gracie Sharp and Chloe Ricotilli. Scott Cutright is the head coach and assisted by Declan McGill and Katie Hopwood.
BECKLEY — For the first time in nearly 20 years, the Elkins High School girls soccer team is in the state tournament, facing Big 10 Conference foe East Fairmont today.
The Class AA-A semifinal match gets underway at approximately 11:30 a.m. at the YMCA Sports Complex.
The Lady Tigers (16-4-1) are the third seed, earning a spot in the Final Four with a 2-0 win over Lincoln in the regional finals.
They dropped a 2-0 decision to the second-seeded Lady Bees (22-1-0) in early October but EHS coach Scott Cutright said his team is at its best headed to Beckley.
“We know this is going to be a difficult task against a very good East Fairmont side,” Cutright said. “I believe we are playing our best soccer right now and our girls are locked in and ready for this opportunity.
“I couldn’t be any prouder of our girls and how they have represented their school and our community this season.”
Senior Addy Cogar, junior Audrina Shelton and freshman Ziah George pace the Lady Tigers in scoring.
Seniors Darby Bailey and Layla Fletcher are among the assist leaders, with senior Maddie Belan and senior keeper Erin Collins mainstays on the defensive end.
East counters with high-scoring freshman forward Lilly Larnerd and junior midfielder Brooklyn Shupe.
In today’s first Class AA-A semifinal contest, top-seed Charleston Catholic (19-0-1) begins its quest for a sixth straight title when the Lady Irish square off against No. 4 Point Pleasant (9-5-5) at 9:30 p.m.
The Class AA-A title game is set for 9:30 a.m. Saturday.
Elkins last won the state title in 2006.
State tourney pairings
At the YMCA Sports Complex
Beckley
Class AAA
Boys
Semifinals
Today
No. 1 Hurricane (18-0-3) vs. No. 4 Martinsburg (15-3-0), 10 a.m.
No. 2 Woodrow Wilson (16-2-2) vs. No. 3 Wheeling Park (20-3-0)
Saturday, Nov. 9
Championship
Semifinal winners, 10:30 a.m.
Class AA-A
Semifinals
Today
No. 1 Charleston Catholic (12-7-3) vs. No. 4 Grafton (12-4-6), 4:30 p.m.
No. 2 East Fairmont (15-2-5) vs. No. 3 Point Pleasant (10-10-1)
Championship
Saturday, Nov. 9
Semifinal winners, 45 minutes after Class AA-A girls final
Girls
Class AAA
Semifinals
Today
No. 1 Morgantown (17-2-2) vs. No. 4 George Washington (17-4-1), 5 p.m.
No. 2 Parkersburg South (17-1-4) vs. No. 3 Washington (15-5-2)
Championship
Saturday, Nov. 9
Semifinal winners, 45 minutes after Class AAA boys final
Class AA-A
Semifinals
Today
No. 1 Charleston Catholic (19-0-1) vs. No. 4 Point Pleasant (9-5-5), 9:30 a.m.
No. 2 East Fairmont (22-1-0) vs. No. 3 Elkins (16-4-1),
Saturday, Nov. 9
Championship
Semifinal winners, 9:30 a.m.