The 1996 Girls ODP team made state history Sunday at the Region I ODP Tournament in Rider, NJ by advancing out of their bracket in pool play and being the first state team to make it to the semi-finals. Under the direction of Coach Brian Shields and former Coach Kathleen Shields, the girls have a strong nucleus of players who have been committed to the program for the past three years. Their first year playing together at the tournament they compiled a 3-0 record followed by a 1-1-1 record the following year. This season saw several new additions to the team and the girls finished with a 2-1 record and earned the honor of advancing to the semi-finals held in Kirkwood, DE, June 24/25th.

The team is comprised of players from Athens Middle, Horace Mann Middle, Winfield Middle, Morgantown High, St. Francis, Winfield High, and Fairmont Senior High School. Many of the girls who were freshman had starting roles on their school team and several earned all-conference and all-state honors. Club teams supporting these girls include West Virginia United, WV Soccer Club, WV Rapids, and KVSL Competitive.

While the ODP suffered this season due to the weather and some unforeseen circumstances, all teams faired well at the tournament this year. The 1994 boys team finished 2-0-1 but failed to advance due to one of the tie breaker rules (goal differential). Coach Bob Gray and Mark Conley have worked extensively with that team and it was unfortunate that their first game on Friday was only 60 minutes - had they had the additional 30 minutes of game time a few more goals could have possibly been scored and they too would have advanced.

Below are the final results for all teams.

94B: v Vermont 3-1, v Eastern New York South 2-1, v Eastern New York North 2-2
95B: v Eastern PA 1-1, v New Hampshire 1-2, v Maryland 0-1
96B: v Eastern New York South 0-2, v Maryland 0-4, v Conneticut 0-7
97B: v New York West 0-3, v New Jersey Upper 1-1, v Massachussetts 2-1
98B: v Maryland 0-3, v Delaware 0-2, v New York West 0-2
95G: v Maine 0-1, v New Hampshire 4-5, v Eastern New York North 0-1
96G: v Maine 0-1, v Delaware 2-1, v New Hampshire 1-0
97G: v Virginia 0-6, v Eastern New York North 0-6, v Massachussets 0-6
98G: v Maryland 0-1, v Delaware 0-5, v New York West 3-4

Congratulations to all teams on a successful tournament.

First WV State Team to Advance to ODP Semi-Finals!

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