Berkeley Springs improves to 2-1 in boys soccer

There is a lot of buzz around the boys soccer team this year and for good reason. After destroying Keyser 10-1 in the season opener, Berkeley Springs shut out Petersburg 6-0 to open their home season on Thursday, August 23.

Once again the Indians were dominant, outshooting the visiting Vikings 20-7.

Junior Matt Martin scored three goals and added an assist to lead the Tribe to their second victory of the year. Josh Wise, another junior, added a pair of goals and two assists, with Aaron Carr scoring the other Indian goal. Freshman Gudiel Guzman had two assists, as well.

Dustin Triplett made five saves in goal, including a spectacular diving stop on a penalty kick, while John Gordon preserved the shutout, stopping both shots he faced.



"We played well, keeping possession and creating many opportunities," said Berkeley Springs coach Jamie Chenoweth. "Our defense was solid allowing only a few shots on goal and both of our keepers held the shutout." We kept the ball in Petersburg's half of the field, created many opportunities and played good soccer. We scored on long shots, on headers and crosses, but it was Aaron Carr's penalty kick that we'll remember most."

Carr's kick came late in the second half after Josh Wise was fouled in the penalty box. Instead of taking the kick himself, Wise gave the kick to teammate Carr, who blistered the kick into the back of the net, for his first-ever goal.

Though the offense was spectacular, it should be noted that sweeper Devin Walsh, along with fullback Cody Riffle and Dustin Triplett, played outstanding games on defense.

On Saturday, August 25, Berkeley Springs faced St. Maria Goretti in Hagerstown, falling to the Gaels 4-2 in a tough, competitive game.

The Indians seemed a little rattled at the beginning of the contest, with the weather possibly contributing to the slow start. But, for whatever reason, the Tribe found themselves on the short end of a 3-0 score at halftime.

They did battle back in the second half and outscored their Maryland foe 2-1, but the early deficit proved to be more than Berkeley Springs could overcome.

"The first half couldn't have gone much worse," Chenoweth said. "Goretti scored first and their defense shut down all of our attempts to score. The kids were exhausted by the heat and pace of play. We lost two starters in the first half to heat stress and by halftime it looked as though our kids were ready to fall over. Somehow we seemed to get stronger in the second half and despite having four starters on the bench with heat distress we outscored them. In the end we came up short, but I was really impressed with our kids' persistence and toughness. It was our first loss of the season, but we learned a few lessons and will be stronger from it. I am confident that when we play Goretti at home we will win."

Martin scored, the first of Berkeley Springs goals on an assist from Sueng Hon. Martin also picked up an assist when Walsh narrowed, the Gael lead with the Indians second goal of the game. Triplett made four saves in goal, while senior Gordon allowed only one second-half goal on 13 shots.

"I'm really impressed with the attitudes of the kids and their abilities," Chenoweth said. "Coming into the year I was worried about our defense being weakened with the loss of Eric Duckwall, but Devin Walsh moved back from striker and I now think our defense can hold their own against the best strikers around. Unfortunately there are still too many empty seats at our home games. I would like to see everyone come out and see what the buzz is about. You won't be disappointed."

Berkeley Springs, now 2-1, plays at Martinsburg this evening at 7 p.m.