Knights repeat as Sectional champs
Generally, wars aren’t scheduled on calendars. But on Oct. 21 in New Martinsville, a scheduled war between two rival teams was planned, carried out and executed as the Silver Knights of Tyler Consolidated met up with the Blue Eagles of Magnolia in a planned skirmish for Sectional supremacy. The Knights came away the victors, 2-0.
Though the 80 minute battle was fierce and physical, the Silver Knight warriors held tight to their early lead until the last whistle sounded, ending the planned hostilities, and carrying home the spoils of war . . . the Section II championship plaque.
The win marks the second consecutive year the Tyler Consolidated boys soccer team has achieved Sectional champion status.
The Silver went into the game with an 11-6 regular season win/loss record while the Blue Eagles entered with a 10-6-1 record. The shut-out is the seventh recorded by the team this season and sets a new school record at Consolidated.
Knight scores came off a Waylon Rosenlieb assist to Brandon Frey and a Skylar Kinnard goal off a Justin Cooper assist.
Goalie Einar Mellem had three saves in goal while Blue Eagle keeper, Mike Winters, had eight saves.
“Coach Matt Kinnard and I are so proud of them,” said Knight head coach, Scott Wall. “They’ve worked very hard this year to get to this point. We started the year as a team with doubts and uncertainty and have proved ourselves as a spirited, competitive soccer team.”
“Our kids played very well in this game,” the coach said.
“Especially our defense. Scott Sole played like he’s been playing for seven years instead of just finishing up his first year on the field. Dylan Romine, who is used to playing offense, showed a fantastic ability with the ball on defense. Waylon, Jared Lantz, Cooper . . . the entire team played with determination and it showed.”
“The kids were determined to win this game,” Wall said. “They wanted it so bad and they played like it. Now it’s on to Regionals. We’re extremely glad for our seniors.”
For the second year in a row, the Silver Knights were in line to vie for the Region I title. The game was played at Wheeling Island Stadium on Tuesday against the Red Riders of Weir.
The Riders (0-0) won their own Sectional last week over Oak Glen, 8-0, making the title a three-peat for them.
Information on the Knights trip to the West Virginia State Soccer Championships in Beckley Nov. 5-6 will appear in next weeks Tyler Star News.
Due to the lateness of the finish of the Regional game, the wrap up of the 2010 soccer season will appear in next weeks Tyler Star News.