The Lady Warrior varsity soccer team hit a hole in the road after their district semi-final playoff game on Wednesday, October 25th. The match was against Bald Eagle High School and held on the Philipsburg Osceola turf field. The team had an outstanding game, but unfortunately luck wasn’t on their side. During the first half, the Eagles scored two back-to-back goals, while the Warriors remained at zero. The second half looked a lot brighter for the Warriors after senior Emma Bucha scored for West Branch off of her own corner kick, which curved into the net and through the goalie’s hands. Sadly, missed opportunities led to the final score of West Branch 1, and Bald Eagle 2, sending the Eagles into the district championship.
That being said, that game does not represent this group of seventeen ladies as a team. Two nights before this heartbreak, the Lady Warriors competed against McConnellsburg in the ICC Championship. The team started on the wrong foot losing 1-0 in the first half. The Warriors came back in the second half strong by scoring three goals during the second forty minutes. Their strong efforts paid off after finishing the game with a 3-1 victory. This win gave the girls an honor of being the first West Branch girl’s soccer team to win two ICC championships back-to-back. Along with team celebrations came coaching success. Head coach Angie Fenush celebrated her 100th win as a coach alongside assistant coach, Alicia Lutz.
Nine seniors graduated from the team this fall including Dorthy Bailor, Emma Bucha, Ciara Condon, Abby Diviney, Erin Godin, Payten Johnson, Jenna Mertz, Olivia Koleno, and Tatelyn Swatsworth. After playing together since the beginning of their careers, the ladies celebrated their senior night against Southern Hunington by each scoring a goal for a total of nine. Coach Angie Fenush says, “I am super proud of the team and how they competed this year. The team continued to be unselfish in play, sharing the ball and breaking individual records in the same year speaks highly of them as a team. An exceptional record and ICC champs is something to be proud of, but it’s the growth of them that is even more impressive.” The team had an outstanding season with a final record of 18-3. Even with their fallbacks, the girls fought their toughest battle each game and showed the true meaning of what it is to be a Warrior.
