Girls prep soccer: So far, things are going the way Spartans envisioned

Greenbrier East's soccer team, the Spartans, are set to make consecutive appearances at the state tournament after a successful season. Head coach Mike Dotson revealed that they had set their sights on returning to the championship from the very first day of practice in the offseason. The team, which is currently seeded No. 2, will take on No. 3 Bridgeport in the upcoming match, set to begin at around 7:30 p.m. at Cline Stadium, located at the YMCA Paul Cline Memorial Sports Complex.

The Spartans, who had been absent from the state tournament for seven consecutive seasons, attribute their success to a diverse roster consisting of talented seniors and younger players. Senior captains Avery Thompson, Ava Workman, and Kiana McClung have been instrumental in leading the team, with Workman leading the scoring with 25 goals and 12 assists, and Thompson providing strong defensive presence.

McClung, who returned from an ankle injury late in the season, has been a strong performer in the last eight games, scoring eight goals.

Sophomore Lyla Brown has continued her impressive freshman season, leading the team with 26 goals and 14 assists. Freshman Mia Furlong and midfielder Addy Vance have also contributed significantly to the team's success, with Furlong scoring 16 goals and 12 assists, and Vance offering great vision and feeding the forwards. Junior Rylee Wickline has also been a key player for the team, tying with McClung for the most assists with eight.

Interestingly, Bridgeport's goalkeeper, Macie Dotson, is Mike Dotson's niece and has received support from the Greenbrier East squad. Despite Dotson's reluctance to rely on their previous game against Bridgeport, the team, along with their fans, are hoping for a successful performance in the upcoming match. The state championship will feature the winners of Greenbrier East-Bridgeport against No. 1 East Fairmont on Saturday at approximately 1 p.m.