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Email: "Lady Riders take on Pikeview in its return to Final Four for second consecutive season"
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BECKLEY — Weir High girls soccer coach Chris LeFever knows that last step his squad needs to take will not be easy. The Red Riders, runners-up to Charleston Catholic in the West Virginia Class AA-A state championship game a year ago, are back in the Final Four Friday on Carter Field at the YMCA Youth Sports Complex and will take on Pikeview 30 minutes after the 9:30 a.m. contest between the defending state champs and Grafton. “Out of the morning games I am fine with this one,” said LeFever. The Panthers (16-5) have reached the state semifinals in their third year of existence — going 9-6-3 and 14-4-4 the first two seasons. Pikeview defeated Pocahontas County in the Region 3 final after losing to the same team a year earlier. The Panthers are in the same boat this season the Red Riders were last year — making the state tournament for the first time. “The lack of experience being in the tournament hurt us last year,” said LeFever. “The experience you get from being there definitely helps. The kids are more comfortable this year. “They are staying focused in practice, although we do have to push that we are going there to win and it’s not a vacation. The girls do understand that. I see a giant difference from last year to this year. They are focused on the opportunity that is there. Last year they were a little jittery. “In a tournament setting intensity is a major factor. If you come into the game intense you can change the outcome of the game. If you don’t, it can throw you off. You have to be intense and stick to your tactics. We’ll feel them out, play our game and see what we’re capable of doing.” The difference for all teams this time of year is that there are more practices than games, which is not always the case during the season. “The downfall to this time of year is that you’re not consistently playing and a month ago we were playing three games a week,” said LeFever. “This is a great opportunity for our girls and we are fortunate that it has come along two years in a row. “Only playing once a week we have to make sure the practices are intense. We try to create a lot of game situations.” The Red Riders defeated Madonna (3-0) and Wheeling Central (1-0) to get to the tournament. “We knew we had to strike quickly against Madonna and keep the intensity up and we did,” said LeFever. “Against Wheeling Central we had our chances and did not finish except for the one time. “Right now everybody is healthy and coming into the tournament really strong. “There are a lot of good aspects about where we’re at. “Now it’s about getting the package together and taking it on the field.” (Mathison can be contacted at mmathison@heraldstaronline.com)

 

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