by Jamie Harris
The Class AA Berkeley Springs Lady Indians stormed into Romney and left with a statement victory, defeating the Class AAA Hampshire Trojans 2–1 in a matchup on Tuesday night. The win marks the first time in seven years that Berkeley Springs has taken down their longtime rivals, and they did it with grit, intensity and a whole lot of heart.
From the opening whistle, the Lady Indians set the tone. Berkeley Springs got on the board first as sophomore Reese Souders, with a perfectly timed assist from fellow sophomore Abigail Close, buried the ball into the back of the net to give Berkeley Springs the early lead.
The momentum only grew as sophomore Emma Frame earned her first career high school goal, an unforgettable moment that sent the Lady Indians’ bench and fans into celebration.
With a 2–0 advantage, the Indians kept Hampshire scrambling. Every possession was fought for, every pass contested. While the Trojans tried to rally, Berkeley Springs’ back line and goalkeeper stood tall.
Late in the second half, Hampshire finally broke through with a goal to close the gap to 2–1, forcing the Lady Indians into a defensive lockdown. The Trojans poured on the pressure, but Willow Rhoten delivered a sensational performance in goal, racking up 14 saves and denying Hampshire any chance of an equalizer.
Offensively, the Lady Indians fired nine shots on goal, three from Close, three from Circe Powell, and one from Taylor Andrews. Every attempt kept the Hampshire defense on edge and showcased Berkeley Springs’ aggressive attack.
When the final whistle blew, the Lady Indians celebrated a victory seven years in the making. Head coach and fans alike praised the team’s relentless energy and belief in each other, a combination that made history on the Trojans’ home turf.
The Lady Indians now look to ride this momentum deeper into their season, knowing they have the firepower, teamwork, and resilience to battle with anyone in the state.
