Trending
WEIRTON -- Weir landed the first blow, however, Morgantown responded twice in the second half to pull out the victory.
The Red Riders scored less than six minutes into their match against the Mohigans, however, Morgantown answered with a pair of goals in less than 14 minutes in the second half to rally for a hard-fought 2-1 victory Tuesday night in Weir's annual Mad Flo Game Tuesday night at Jimmy Carey Stadium.
"It was a fantasic game," first-year Weir (6-5-4) head coach Chris LeFever said. "It was very clean. There was good sportsmanship.
"We played better in the first half. They brought it in the second half. They are a big school. They play technical soccer. They have a lot of speed. We did a great job in the first half shutting them down. We made a couple of mistakes in the second half, and they were able to score.
"We played really well in the first half. I think we ran out of gas in the second half. They put a lot of pressure on you."
The visitors had opportunities to score in the first half, however, they were unable to find the back of the net. The Mohigans stepped it up in the second half, and they came away with the two goals they needed to win the match.
"We simplified things," Morgantown (7-6-3) head coach Sam Snyder said. "We want to get the ball out wide. Weir was well organized, and it made it tough for us to break them down. We wanted to get the ball out wide and then split the seams.
"We got the ball in some dangerous areas, but we could not finish in the first half. We did a better job of finishing in the second half."
Antonio Pittman tallied the lone goal of the night for the Red Riders.
John Wansack made five saves in goal for the hosts.
"Wansack did a really good job in goal," LeFever said. "He made some big saves to keep us in the game.
"We scored early on. It was beautiful. I think it surprised them. It out them on their heels. They were not expecting us to jump on them the way we did.
"It is tough playing big schools. We play these schools to prepare us for the playoffs. That is exactly what they do. I tell our guys I want for them is to compete, and tonight they competed.
"I think we surprosed them in the first half. That goal gave us the momentum. Half the game is momentum."
Pittman put his shot away with 34:15 remaining to be played before halftime. Unfortunately for the Riders, it was the only time in the match they were able to get a shot into the back of the net.
James Percifield and Joe Beeson each tallied a goal for the visitors from Monogalia County. Miles Merritt assisted on both goals.
Tyler Crites stopped two shots for the victors.
Percifield opened the scoring in the second half when he found the back of the net knotting the score at 1-1 with 30:47 left to play.
Beeson scored the game-winner with 16:49 still showing on the scoreboard clock.
"They were able to work the ball wide, and they were able to pull our defense," LeFever said. "They were able to get the ball in the middle and spread us out. It wasn't a lot different. They were more tactical than the teams we have played recently."
Both teams had chances the rest of the way, but neither was able to score.
"Weir is organized," Snyder said. "Their middle is extremely tough. They are a very good team."
The game benefit the Mohigans as they get ready for the postseason.
"It is really good that we responded," Snyder said. "We have not finished games. We were able to come back which is something we have not done, and we were able to close it out. We needed to do that.
"I appreciate Weir for hosting us. I enjoy playing them. They are a quality team through and through. We needed this game for us."
Weir wore blue socks in honor of Madison Crowe, who died two years ago.
"This was our Mad Flo game," LeFever said. "It has been two years since she died. The seniors really wanted to do this. I brought it up, and the seniors were adamant that we have a Mad Flo Game. It is tradition. She was their classmate. She is deeply missed by her classmates and the boys and girls teams. I called Morgantown's coach at the last minute, and I asked him about it, and he said no problem. They were very supportive."
Morgantown is scheduled to play Brooke at 1 p.m. Saturday on the road.
Weir is slated to play Wheeling Park at 6 p.m. Tuesday at home.
"This is a tough part of our schedule," LeFever said. "We played Morgantown, and now we play Wheeling Park and Fairmont Senior. These games will help us prepare for the playoffs."