Wheeling Park High School’s girls’ soccer team secured a spot in the Class AAAA state semifinals with a decisive 2-0 victory against University High School on November 2, 2023. The match, held at the rain-soaked Wheeling Island Stadium, marked a significant achievement for the Patriots, who were determined to return to the state tournament after last year’s disappointment.
The top-seeded Wheeling Park Patriots (17-2-2) dominated the match, achieving their third win against the Hawks this season, having previously defeated them 4-0 in the regular season and 5-0 in the OVAC Class 5A finals. Coach Tom Smith expressed his pride in the team, stating, “These girls remember the sting of losing to Morgantown. It was definitely a motivating factor.”
Brenna Tipton played a pivotal role in the victory, scoring both goals for her team. The sophomore, who is also preparing for the Class AAAA state cross country meet, has now tallied 13 goals this season. Reflecting on the match, Tipton said, “I’m really excited because we’ve been dreaming about this all season. It’s going to be incredible to experience this together.”
The first goal came early in the fifth minute when Tipton struck a powerful shot from the center of the box, finding the net past University goalkeeper MacKenzie Morris. Although Wheeling Park continued to press, the first half ended with a narrow lead. The team rallied again just after halftime, with Tipton scoring her second goal in the 45th minute, a right-wing drive that left Morris with no chance of saving.
Despite not facing a shot on goal throughout the match, senior goalkeeper Riley Perry received high praise from her coach. Smith remarked on her consistent performance this season, noting that she touched the ball only once during the game but is always ready when called upon. The team’s other seniors, Hailey Hastings and Julia Dunaway, also received recognition for their contributions.
Morris finished the match with ten saves, showcasing her skills against a relentless Wheeling Park offense. Looking ahead, the Patriots are set to compete in the state semifinals on November 6, 2023, at the YMCA Paul Cline Memorial Sports Complex. The first matches will begin at 17:00 local time, featuring the No. 1 seed against the No. 4 seed, followed by the No. 2 and No. 3 seeds.
As Wheeling Park prepares for the next round, the anticipation is palpable. The Patriots, with state titles from 1998 to 2001 and in 2020, aim to reclaim their glory on the field.
