Morgantown's Finn Ralston drills game's lone goal as Mohigans topple crosstown rival University for Class AAA Region I title, 1-0

“It is always a very tough matchup when our two squads meet,” Morgantown coach Sam Snyder began. “They are like a whole different team, much credit to the strides they made throughout the year.”

“With the way things played out last time and having everything go in our favor, we knew tonight wasn’t going to be an easy test,” Snyder added.

“Defensively, University pressured us very well all night, they bottled us up and made everything hard,” Snyder said. “But we expected that, it is playoff soccer.”

“This time of year is about grinding out close games and scoring off set pieces and we did those successfully tonight which made the difference in the game,” Snyder finished.

After chalking up their fifth straight win, Morgantown earns a spot in the state tournament in Beckley next week with an opponent and start time yet to be determined.

The heartbreaking loss brings University’s season to an end at 12-9-1.

“Obviously getting and staying healthy is our biggest priority as we enter the state tournament,” Snyder said.

“We are going to take the weekend off and rest then fit in three solid practices before we open up state tournament play,” Snyder finished.

After a slow start from each team, the Mohigans turned up the offensive pressure a bit, almost scoring as Riley Brabson squeezed off a shot on the left side of the box.

But Morgantown goalkeeper Conner Montgomery rushed to make a sliding save to persevere the scoreless tie in the 7th minute.

The Morgantown attack would finally break through in the 20th minute. Rolston rocketed a shot into the back from 20-yards out down the left-center hash for the game’s lone goal, to give the Mohigans a 1-0 lead they would never relinquish.

University’s defense held strong for the remainder of the first-half, yet the Hawks were unable to create penetration on the Mohigan’s backline with their offensive touches losing cohesion under constant duress from the back-third of Morgantown’s defense.

The second half saw University generate its best look of the game as Hawk captain Daniel Kaddar almost drilled a free kick in the 44th minute yet watched it sail just slightly over the top crossbar.

Morgantown nearly sealed the game as Will Staples buried a goal in the box but saw it rescinded due to an offsides penalty, keeping University’s chances alive as the game entered its final 10 minutes.

The Hawks final chance came off a runout in the 70th minute.

Kaddar secured possession on a long through pass, dribbling at breakneck speed past several University defenders as he weaved his way into range.

Once he reached the top of the box, Kaddar squeezed off a sliding shot.

Yet Morgantown goalkeeper Tyler Crites was there to meet him and the shot, making a save as he collided with Kaddar in the box.

Morgantown was able to hold possession for much of the remainder of the game, University was able to rally for a quick chance in the final minute but time expired before they could get a shot off.