Williamstown boys top Buffalo for LKC title
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WILLIAMSTOWN -- It's mission accomplished for the Williamstown boys soccer team, but not quite a job well done just yet.
Xavier Graeber's goal off an assist from Davis Harbour with 46 seconds left in the first half gave the Yellowjackets a 1-0 win over Buffalo in the Little Kanawha Conference championship match on Saturday.
It's one of the first goals on Williamstown's checklist this season.
"I’ve never actually been on a championship team, so this is everything to me," said Tripp Williams, Williamstown's lone senior. "I’ve worked all year. I’ve been doing everything I can, and it paid off. I’m honestly trying not to cry at the moment."
However, the prominent message from the 'Jackets' postgame huddle was clear -- job's not done.
"We haven’t been to state in a while, and that’s one of the things this group talked about," said Williamstown head coach Chris Harbour. "We actually talked before the game -- winning LKC’s a step in the right direction, but their motto, as we just clapped it up, is 'job not done.' Even with the LKC title, job’s not done. We’ve got two regular season games, but then postseason starts, and getting to state and making a run at state is what we want to do."
Williamstown dropped its season opener 1-0 to Wheeling Central back on Aug. 22. Since then, the Yellowjackets have reeled off 15 straight wins.
"What's next for us? Go all the way," Williams said. I want to go all the way and win every competition from here on out."
Williamstown had previously defeated Buffalo 1-0 on Sept. 15, and Saturday's rematch played out in a similar fashion. The 'Jackets controlled possession throughout the first half, registering four shots on goal in the first 20 minutes while surrendering none. Finally, Landon Ridenhour worked the ball to Harbour, who relayed it to Graeber for his team-leading 40th goal of the season.
"He switched to his punting foot and he just drilled it in," Williams said. "That's what he does. I have so much admiration for that guy."
The Bison (11-5) had their best scoring opportunity 10 minutes into the second half. Trent Pickens' free kick attempt was on the money, but WHS keeper Skarin Welsh went up to make an acrobatic save, preserving Williamstown's lead. Welsh saved both of Buffalo's only two shots on frame. The Yellowjackets have allowed just nine goals all season.
"That’s been our strongest suit all year," Coach Harbour said. "Our defense is really the backbone of our team. We passed the ball. I think we had possession most of the game, probably 75% of the game, and that’s what we’re all about -- playing under control, keeping possession, wearing the team out. I think it showed at the end of the game where we were kind of still going forward and still able to move the ball, and they were chasing. That’s what we want to do."
On the other end, Williamstown put 13 shots on target with Buffalo goalie Elias Criner tallying 12 saves.
"They’re a fantastic opponent," Coach Harbour said. "They’ve played us hard every single game, but happy to come out how we did. Really great turnout from the stands, from the folks in the area, and the boys played hard. They’re a fantastic group of kids."
GIRLS: Braxton County 3, Williamstown 2 (OT)
WILLIAMSTOWN -- Kaylee Heater's golden goal with 3:17 left in overtime gave Braxton County a 3-2 victory over Williamstown on Saturday as the Eagles won their third straight Little Kanawha Conference championship.
The match was scoreless at halftime, but both teams found the back of the net twice in the second half to force a 10-minute, sudden-death OT session.
In the 87th minute, Zoey McQuain possessed the ball and fed it to Bella Rollyson in the left corner. Rollyson sent a strong cross, and Heater was there to strike it past a diving Madelyn Jones in goal to secure a three-peat for Braxton County
"It’s huge," said Braxton head coach Nathan Smarr. "This is one of our goals at the beginning of the year. We went from down to up to down to tied -- that’s why you just keep fighting. Six seniors, so it’s big for them."
Williamstown (5-9-1) led twice in the match. Four minutes into the second half, Williamstown worked the ball within a few feet of the goal. After bouncing around and deflecting off players from both teams, Kenzy Biddle finally buried it for the first goal of the match.
The Eagles (14-2-1) answered just two minutes later when Rollyson scored off an assist from goalie Cassidy Coyer, who punted the ball up the field before Rollyson gathered it.
Then, at the 31:50 mark, Braxton earned a penalty kick opportunity, but Jones was there to save McQuain's attempt to keep the score tied.
"Zoey, she missed that PK and I know she was in her head about it, but she won so many balls for us at that holding-mid spot," Smarr said. "If she doesn't win those balls, who knows how many goals Williamstown gets."
With eight minutes left in the match, Addi Richardson crossed the ball to Quinn Bunch, whose shot found the back of the net to once again give Williamstown the advantage.
The 'Jackets were five minutes away from being champions, but a strike by Heater deflected off Jones and into the goal to tie the score at 2-all.
Jones finished with five saves while Coyer tallied 12 for Braxton.
"I'm beyond proud of the way the girls played today," said Williamstown head coach Maddi Leggett. "They fought for every last minute of it -- ninety minutes, and they fought for it the whole time."
Williamstown revived its girls soccer program last season and came a long way in year two. The Yellowjackets wrap up the regular season next week and then will turn their attention to regionals.
"This is probably the first time that our girls have played in a match this rowdy, this exciting," Leggett said. "When you have the entire crowd screaming at you and everything else, and you’re playing a team that has not only won this for multiple years, but has had a girls program for also multiple years -- that is just something that (Braxton's) kind of used to, and we’re just starting to see."