The Inter-Mountain photo by Joey Kittle Sophomore Braylyn Sparks has netted a team-high 25 goals for Philip Barbour.

The Inter-Mountain photo by Joey Kittle
Sophomore Braylyn Sparks has netted a team-high 25 goals for Philip Barbour.

BECKLEY — It was a learning experience for the Philip Barbour girls soccer team in last year’s state tournament.

Making their first appearance in the event, the Lady Colts were the fourth seed and dropped an 8-1 decision to eventual two-time state champion Charleston Catholic.

A majority of that squad returns to Beckley today as the third seed and faces No. 2 Winfield 30 minutes after the conclusion of the first Class AA-A semifinal between No. 4 Oak Glen and top-seed Charleston Catholic which kicks off at 4:30 p.m. at the YMCA Youth Sports Complex’s Carter Field.

The winners meet Saturday in the title game.

Philip Barbour (15-3-1) secured a spot in the tournament by dealing Herbert Hoover a 4-0 setback in last Tuesday’s regional championship.

While a strong senior class is in place for coach Blake Williams, underclassmen top the scoring chart as sophomore twin sisters Braylyn Sparks and Arrington Sparks have combined for 40 goals and 30 assists.

Sophomore Caylee Simons has added 13 goals.

Seniors Audrey Williams (11 assists), Lydia Phillips (13 goals), Graylin Floyd (3 goals, 6 assists) and Gracie Miller anchor the veteran leadership on the playing field, while classmate Sara Simon has allowed just nine goals and collected 55 saves at keeper.

“We’ve had a great season,” Blake Williams said. “A school record 15 wins, four sectional titles in a row and back-to-back regional titles.

“But it’s far from over. I feel like we can play with anybody. We just need to play with intensity and stay focused.”

Winfield enters the match with a 16-2-3 mark and is led in goals by junior Kate Hall (15) and senior MacKenzie Meadows (10).

Philip Barbour transfer Abby Weingart has contributed four goals and an assist.

“All the remaining teams are good,” coach Williams added. “We don’t know Winfield well, but we know one of their players (Weingart) as she is a former teammate of some of the girls and is an excellent player.

“I know they are a good team and it should be a great matchup.”