2011 Sectional Champion Silver Knight Boys Soccer team

When the boys varsity soccer team at Tyler Consolidated decide to give fans a game to remember, they do it up right.

The Silver Knights played the longest game of their careers on Thursday in New Martinsville for the Sectional title against Morgantown Trinity, finally coming up with the 1-0 win after 80 regulation minutes, two 10-minute and one 5-minute overtime periods.

“We were heading for a shoot-out,” said head coach of the Silver Knights, Scott Wall. “One more 5-minute overtime period, and we were heading for PK’s (penalty kicks).”

“I knew it was coming, we all did, and then Dylan Romine did what he always does, and scored. It was a relief and almost a let down at the same time. But don’t get me wrong, I was so glad he scored when he did, because although I think we would have won in the shoot-out, I’m so glad it didn’t come to that.”

Tyler Consolidated played with defensive superiority against the co-ed Morgantown team throughout the game, out shooting the Warriors and forcing them on their side of the field for the majority of the contest.

Overall, the Knights took 12 shots at the opposing net, finally scoring off the foot of sophomore defender, Dylan Romine, to take their third Sectional title in a row.

“Everybody played well,” Wall said. “Dylan has scored 15 goals for us this year as a defender, which is impossible, and always seems to be in the right place at the right time, just like in this game; Nathan Heintzman was put on their best player and did a phenomenal job; Scott Sole never disappoints . . . I could say the same thing about every kid on the team, because they all did an outstanding job.”

“Coach Matt Kinnard and I are so very pleased for the guys. They have worked hard, they worked hard in this game, and they have earned any successes we’ve achieved this season.”

The Silver Knights have amassed a record of 10-5-3 on the season and now hope to extend their post-season play for the first time in the history of the soccer program at the school, by winning the Region I championship.

The Knights are scheduled to play the Weir Red Riders (14-3-2) on Thursday at Wheeling Island. A win at the Regional will not only send the Silver to the State Soccer Championships in Beckley on Nov. 5, but, put the team in the history books at Tyler Consolidated as the first soccer team to represent the school at State.

“Weir is an excellent team,” Wall said. “We’ve played them before, and played well, but we’ve never beaten them. We’re poised to do something new this time around however. We want this win.”

A large contingency of fans were on hand to offer their support to the Knights in New Martinsville, a fact which coach Wall and team were surprised, but gratified, to see.

“We were thrilled to have so many kids and parents and fans rooting us on. It was really great and only added to the win even more. We certainly hope people come out to support us on Thursday in Wheeling. The boys deserve it and it would mean a lot to them.”

The Regional game will be played at Wheeling Island Stadium on Thursday immediately following the girls Regional finals.