Published: October 07, 2008 11:52 pm            

Much-needed win

West boys shut out Linsly, 5-0

FAIRMONT — West Fairmont’s boys’ soccer team needed a win.

After dropping three heartbreakers by a combined score of 3-1, the Polar Bears turned up the intensity against Linsly.

West scored four times before halftime and once again in the second half to take a 5-0 victory over the visitors Tuesday night at Duvall-Rosier Field.

“It’s our first win in a while, and we needed it,” West assistant coach Darrin Paul said. “Coming into the game, we talked about needing to score, and I think we came out and played strong and aggressive tonight.”

Paul has taken over coaching duties while head coach Jim DeNardi recuperates from surgery. DeNardi sat behind the Polar Bears’ bench during the game.

“It was nice to have Jim come out tonight. I know the kids really miss him,” Paul said. “I think that kind of got us pumped up a little bit.”

Jordan Ross scored the first goal of the game, and Brian Bacza and Brooks Nucilli followed up with one each to make the score 3-0 early on.

Nate Kast put one by the Linsly keeper on a penalty kick to lift West to a 4-0 lead at the break.

“We’re starting to take shots, and it shows,” Paul said. “Before we’d get down there and we’d pass it. We stressed the need to score, and the guys started taking their shots.”

Midway through the second half, Nucilli took a near-perfect pass from Brad Cox and easily slipped it into the net to produce the final 5-0 result.

The Bears had plenty more chances in the game, but couldn’t convert despite some good plays in front of the goal.

“Overall, I thought the kids played well,” Paul said. “Those little mistakes have been the story all year for us, and tonight it looked like we’re starting to come around.”

Nucilli also had a pair of assists to go along with his two scores.

In girls’ action, No. 1 West Fairmont played to a 1-1 tie with Parkersburg Tuesday.

The Big Reds scored very early in the first half, while West didn’t tally its goal until halfway through the second.

Tessa Gardner scored West’s lone goal in the game.

North Marion’s girls’ team shut out Liberty on Tuesday.

Tiffany Nicholson and Mackenzie Mullenax each scored a goal, and Olivia Moran picked up an assist in the win.

The Polar Bears and Huskies will meet at North Marion on Thursday.

E-mail Mike Bowen at mbowen@timeswv.com.

        

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