Photo by Joe Albright
Parkersburg South’s Regan Shockey tries to keep the ball in play while Parkersburg’s Peyton Harvey looks on during the Patriots’ 7-0 Class AAA Region IV, Section 2 semifinal win over the Big Reds Monday at Erickson All-Sports Facility.

PARKERSBURG — Last year, Parkersburg South’s girls soccer team shared a close bond, they were like sisters, according to junior captain and defender Cameron Limer.

“We worked so hard and lost in the finals and that was devastating and we are just trying to get there (to Beckley) again and finish that feeling where we feel like we really succeeded,” she said.

Consider that path staring on a high note.

Samara Nunn and Adi Altizer each scored twice, the Patriots’ defense limited PHS chances to get back in the game to two shots on goal, and South moved on to the Class AAA Region IV, Section II final with a 7-0 win over the rival Big Reds.

Missing starting goal keeper Mackenzie Mott, South head coach Ron Bucholtz turned to Adi Altizer and Ashlyn Limer in goal. Both excelled at keeping balls out of the net, with the defense deserving credit for making sure neither were tested early or often.

Photo by Joe Albright
Parkersburg South’s Hadley Freshour battles Parkersburg’s Paige Rogers for possession of the ball during the Patriots’ 7-0 Class AAA Region IV, Section 2 semifinal win over the Big Reds Monday at Erickson All-Sports Facility.

“We really worked well with her on communicating and shifting for her,” Cameron Limer said when working with Altizer. “I think we worked well and worked as a team.” They certainly did.

As soon as Erin Riesbeck gave South the early 1-0 lead just four minutes into the contest, the going got tough for the Big Reds’ offense. Not just tough, but it became a labor for Brad Morris’ team just to get the ball up the pitch. Managing to get a shot on goal was Parkersburg’s Kendal Domenick early in the game, but Altizer mopped it up. The Big Reds never threatened again in the first half.

Nunn made it that much harder for the Big Reds to find a groove in the second half when she scored in the 33rd minute for a 2-0 Patriots’ lead. The advantage could have been much larger, according to Bucholtz.

“We just didn’t finish. We had some beautiful play in the first half. They (PHS) created a couple of chances. But our girls brought the intensity,” he said.

That approach continued into the second half. Four different Patriots found the back of the net, and the group never looked back.

“They were just a little more composed and had some beautiful goals. I was pleased considering we were playing with a depleted lineup to still come away with a pretty resounding victory. And the girls came together with some big goals in the lineup. We just have to regroup and we presume to get ready for Hurricane,” Bucholtz said.

Parkersburg, who had just one shot on goal after halftime, got nine keeper saves from Hailee Merritt and Isabel Lynch. The Patriots received a save a piece from Altizer and Limer.

South had five corner kicks, while PHS had just one.

Nunn upped her goal total to 35 on the year.

Domenick, who scored 18 goals on the career, saw her career come to an end.

The Patriots now face the Redskins or the Vikings at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday night at Erickson All-Sports Facility.