Golden Bears make it six-straight Section 1 titles
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NEW MANCHESTER -- Record-setting junior Kami Ward scored all four goals for Oak Glen as the still unbeaten top-seeded Golden Bears won their sixth-straight WVSSAC Region 1, Section 1 championship on Saturday with a 4-2 win over No. 2 seed Weir High.
Ward now has a school-record 55 goals on the season for Oak Glen, which is 20-0-2 on the season. The 20 wins are a program record also.
"First off, congratulations to Weir. They had an amazing season and I expect them to be back in full force next season," Oak Glen head coach Bill Watts said. "As far as our girls, I'm beyond proud of this team. Between last year's graduates and this year's injuries, we had to replace seven starters from last year's sectional championship team.
"For this group to accomplish everything they have this season, it's simply amazing. They've played as a team all season and it paid dividends (Saturday)."
Weir and Oak Glen also met in the OVACfinals and in the regular season, with the three games decided by a total of four goals and a shootout.
Olivia Baker and Madelyn Cramer scored for the Red Riders, who finish their strong season at 13-5-2.
They will lose a strong class of seniors whose Red Rider careers came to a close on Saturday.
"Our seniors, led by captains Reagan Hoover, Sophia Aperfine, Lindsey Fayak and Ava Taylor were instrumental in our good season," Weir head coach Jeremy Angelo said. "Defenders Elena Mastrantoni, Maddie Miralrio and Kiara Palavis helped anchor our good defense and midfielder Callie Wood aided a midfield that enjoyed possessing the ball and creating scoring opportunities. This group of seniors, as sophomores, had to deal with the tragic death of Madison Crowe two years ago. Theteam dedicated our season to her, and this group definitely had to go through a lot on and off the field to be able to continue to play and do it good.
"This group did it with a heavy heart but did an amazing job haggling it all. They will be missed, and thoughts and prayers go out to each of them in everything they do in the future."
Oak Glen got two assists from Carson Barr and one from Aaliyah Siegel, while Alexus Greenlief made 13 saves in net.
Lexie Fayak had an assist for Weir, while Rayna Hoover made eight saves.
The Golden Bears host the WVSSAC Region 1 championship match on Thursday, taking on Fairmont Senior, who won Section 2 and is 12-5-4.