Lady Colts drop 1-0 verdict in title game

Philip Barbour places four seniors on WVHSSCA first team; Four EHS players earn second-team honors

BECKLEY -- Second-seed Philip Barbour's season came to a heartbreaking 1-0 loss to top-seed Charleston Catholic in Saturday's Class AA-A title game at the YMCA Youth Sports Complex.

It was third straight season the Lady Irish, who have won five championships in a row, had bested the Lady Colts for the title.

Philip Barbour's special season didn't go unrecognized by the West Virginia High School Soccer Coaches Association all-state team, however, as four seniors -- Braylyn Sparks, Arrington Sparks, Layna "Turkey" Grassi and Jorjalynn Ward were all selected to the first unit.

Elkins, which lost to Philip Barbour in the regional title game, placed seniors Laney Fletcher and Gracelin Corley, junior Addy Cogar and junior Darby Bailey on the second team.

Braylyn Sparks was named the Region 2 Player of the Year and PB mentor Blake Williams was the Coach of the Year.

Both are now up for the State Player of the Year and Coach of the Year honors when the winners are announced on Nov. 18 at the awards banquet.

Saturday's title game was scoreless until the Lady Irish got a goal from Mia Lough in the 58th minute.

The Lady Colts, who finished with a 19-3-2 record, had lost to Charleston Catholic, 6-1, in the regular season.