Williamstown's Addison Richardson settles the ball against Braxton County during the Eagles' 2-0 Little Kanawha Conference championship match victory Saturday at Bill Hanlin Stadium in St. Marys. (Photo by Jay W. Bennett)

ST. MARYS – The Williamstown girls of first-year head coach Maddi Leggett had to settle for a runner-up finish here Saturday in the Little Kanawha Conference championship match as Braxton County secured its repeat following a 2-0 victory at Bill Hanlin Stadium.

“It’s awesome,” admitted Eagle head coach Nathan Smarr of his top-seeded 11-4-1 program that scored in the sixth minute when Bailey Pritt’s corner kick deflected off a ‘Jacket and went into the goal.

“It was just a back and forth game. It felt like nobody really wanted to take control. We got that goal late there in the second half and that really helped us.”

The cushion for the Eagles, who play host to Capital at 6 p.m. Thursday, came in the 65th minute when Zoey McQuain picked up her fourth assist of the season via Pritt’s 23rd time finding the back of the net.

“We’re getting our younger kids in, especially on the girls side,” added coach Smarr, whose team has four seniors. “They are getting to play a lot. I anticipate us being back here next year.”

Braxton County's Bella Rollyson and Williamstown's Kadence Bandy make a play on the ball during the Eagles' 2-0 Little Kanawha Conference championship match victory Saturday at Bill Hanlin Stadium in St. Marys. (Photo by Jay W. Bennett)

Williamstown, which doesn’t have a senior on its roster, got seven saves from freshman keeper Sophie Nisewarner.

Braxton County goalie Neveah Flint collected a pair of saves in her shutout effort, which included stopping a penalty kick off the foot of Kadence Bandy with 5:48 left in the first half.

The only other shot on goal for the Yellowjackets came in the 41st minute when Madelyn Jones got the ball ahead to Addison Richardson only to be denied.

“I was told not to expect it, but after meeting these girls I 100% expected it,” coach Leggett replied when asked if she thought her group could get to the LKC title match. “The gameplan today, we had to move around a little bit. We have a few injuries and things, but at the end of the day the girls had the heart and that’s all that I ask is they give 100%, and they did that.

“I think we’re a little short on the finishing today. Not too many shots on goal. Not too many opportunities. They did phenomenal defense, but our girls, they fought, and that’s all that I could ask. I’m pretty happy with it.”

Williamstown keeper Sophie Nisewarner makes a diving save during the Yellowjackets' 2-0 setback to Braxton County on Saturday in the Little Kanawha Conference championship match at Bill Hanlin Stadium. (Photo by Jay W. Bennett)

Following Bandy’s PK, teammate Savanah Schofield had a rebound opportunity but her shot went just high.

Williamstown’s last best chance came in the 64th minute when Jones had a through to Macy Phelps, but she wasn’t able to get her shot on frame.

The ‘Jackets, now 7-7-1 with a match set for Tuesday night at Parkersburg South, also had a quality look in the 11th minute from Richardson and in the 20th by Bandy.

“I think we reinforced it a little bit of how much it’s meant to these girls,” added coach Leggett of making it to the championship. “I know last year the co-ed played for third so a lot of these girls even playing on co-ed last year, this was the first opportunity playing in an LKC for first place and they definitely knew the importance and showed up for it.”

Braxton County, which defeated the host ‘Jackets 4-2 back on Sept. 20, won its third LKC title in the past four years.

Williamstown's Madelyn Jones makes a move to get around Braxton County's Bella Rollyson during the Eagles' 2-0 Little Kanawha Conference championship match victory Saturday at Bill Hanlin Stadium in St. Marys. (Photo by Jay W. Bennett)

Contact Jay Bennett at jbennett@newsandsentinel.com