Parkersburg Catholic’s Kaleb Cochran (19) and Josh McClung (19) defend Williamstown’s Nate Nicely during a high school soccer match, Thursday in Parkersburg. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)

PARKERSBURG — Two soccer programs heavy into the youth movement met for the second time this season, Thursday afternoon behind Parkersburg Catholic High School.

Behind a pair of goals from Xavier Graeber, Mason Mercer and Gavin Sivard, Williamstown improved to 9-2-0 after defeating the Crusaders, 9-3.

Despite falling behind 1-0 five minutes into the match on the first of two goals by Parkersburg Catholic sophomore Kaleb Cochran, the Yellowjackets answered with six straight goals to close out the first half then tacked on back-to-back scores in the first 14 minutes after intermission to extend the gap to 8-1.

With eight freshmen and three sophomores on the roster, Williamstown coach Kevin Mercer has relied to patience and the assistance of his senior captains (Sivard and Mercer) to guide the younger players through the trials of high school soccer.

“We are still maturing as a team,” Williamstown coach Kevin Mercer said. “We have good leadership with our two captains, Mason Mercer and Gavin Sivard. They have helped me bring our younger players along this year.

Parkersburg Catholic’s Nathan Tennant, right, tries to slide tackle Williamstown’s Xavier Graeber during a high school match, Thursday in Parkersburg. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)

“We have the eight freshmen – a lot of them hadn’t played soccer before. So even our captains were coaching by our side and trying to get everybody up to speed.”

Even the two keepers at Williamstown’s disposal – junior Jackson Melonas and freshman Landon Miller – are always learning the finer points of the game. The two individuals each played one half on Thursday. Melonas made an impressive stop on the lone PCHS penalty kick in the 18th minute of the second half.

“Landon is our starting keeper – he is a great athlete,” Mercer said. “He is a great wrestler and he’s really aggressive with the ball, so he has worked out great for us this year.

“We still have a lot of young players that make mistakes, but we have a lot of good athletes out there.”

Accounting for the remainder of Williamstown’s goals were Jan Bromacher and Kole Biddle in the second half in addition to an own goal in the first half. Biddle’s shot left his foot from just inside mid-field and sailed above the keeper’s reach.

Parkersburg Catholic’s Klay Cochran (12) and one of his teammates, along with Williamstown’s Eli Houser (37) wait for a ball to settle during a high school soccer match, Thursday in Parkersburg. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)

After losing 9-2 to the Yellowjackets earlier this season, PCHS (3-7-1) showed signs of progression. Especially right off the bat when Cochran made the Williamstown keeper pay for leaving too much distance between himself and the net. Cochran sent his shot attempt to the opposite corner of the net and gave the Crusaders a 1-0 lead.

Cochran also scored at the 27th minute of the second half to close out the PCHS scoring. Responsible for the third PCHS goal was Grant Huffman with 18 minutes remaining before the end of regulation.

“Caleb and Grant are our presence up top – they are our driving force going forward,” PCHS coach Seth Johnson said.

Minus the three seniors on the PCHS roster, coach Johnson is working with freshmen and sophomores.

“The young boys are learning the system – they are learning how to play,” Johnson said. “Some of them have not yet played on a muddy field and it showed tonight. But as a team they also showed the resiliency to [pull through at the end.”

Williamstown’s Eli Houser (37) and Parkersburg Catholic’s Grant Huffman (5) chase down a loose ball during a high school soccer match, Thursday in Parkersburg. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)

Similar to Williamstown, PCHS also starts a freshman at keeper. Against the Yellowjackets, he made 21 saves.

“For the most part, Evan did a nice job,” Johnson said. “Some of the goals he let in just comes down to experience. He’s got a nice wingspan. He is facing a lot of shots, which is good for him.”

After Saturday afternoon’s home match with Roane County, only three matches remain for Williamstown before the LKC Tournament.

“Our offense is coming along,” Mercer said. “Initially, my concern was our defense, but those younger players are really stepping up now.”

PCHS is off until next Wednesday when it travels to Buffalo.

Williamstown’s Gavin Sivard (5) works the ball against Parkersburg Catholic’s Klay Cochran during a high school soccer match, Thursday in Parkersburg. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)

“We are really trying to focus on getting that possession-based style of soccer down,” Johnson said. “It’s becoming almost a dying art, especially at the high school level. I do credit teams like Williamstown who are very good at playing it down the middle and playing that possession style.

“We’re working on building that and maybe taking it a step further if we can.”

Contact Kerry Patrcik at kpatrick@newsandsentinel.com

Parkersburg Catholic Nathan Tennant (3) tries to get in front of a shot attempt from Williamstown’s Gavin Sivard during a high school soccer match, Thursday in Parkersburg. Through heavy traffic, Sivard scored a goal on the play. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)