Special Senior Class
Lady Colts make fourth straight showing in state tourney tonight
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BECKLEY -- To say the seniors on Philip Barbour's girls soccer team have made their place in school history is an understatement.
Over the past four seasons, the seniors have guided the Lady Colts to 53 wins, including a shortened 2020 campaign due to the pandemic, Big 10 Conference titles and a fourth straight appearance in the Class AA-A state tournament.
No. 2 Philip Barbour (18-2-2) looks to earn a spot in the title game for the third straight year when it battles third-seed Point Pleasant (15-2-4) at approximately 7 p.m. today at the YMCA Youth Sports Complex in Beckley.
Four-time state champion Charleston Catholic faces No. 4 Weir in the other semifinal at 4:30 p.m.
All-state first-team twin sisters Braylyn Sparks and Arrington Sparks, anchor the scoring attack for the Lady Colts.
The duo, who also helped lead the school's basketball team into the state championship game back in March, have combined for 49 goals, with Braylyn netting 28.
Braylyn Sparks, who went over 100 goals for her career earlier this season, has also assisted on 12 scores, while Arrington leads the squad with 25 helpers.
Fellow senior Layna 'Turkey' Grassi is fourth in goals with 13 and second in assists with 14, and classmate Caylee Simons has contributed 10 scores and nine assists.
Grassi has lettered in five different sports, including serving as the football team's kicker.
Jorjalynn Ward, Avery Swiger and Laney Travis round out the senior group.
Freshman Rylee Bodkins has emerged as the team's third-leading scorer as she has put 18 in the net.
Sophomore keeper Lillie Talbott has collected 130 saves and allowed just 1.7 goals per game.
Point Pleasant counters with senior Madelyn Call (17 goals), senior Melina Gyberg (14 goals), sophomore Keira Tatterson (13) and junior Reece Oliver.
The teams are familiar with one another, as the Lady Colts earned a 4-3 win in overtime in last year's state semifinals and they battled to a 4-4 draw earlier this year in Philippi.
The Class AA-A title game will be contested at noon on Saturday.