Published: November 21, 2008 11:49 pm            

State soccer stars hit town for N-S Game

FAIRMONT — For a number of Fairmont Senior, East Fairmont and North Marion soccer players, the North-South All-Star Game will be their last chance to play at East-West Stadium.

For everyone else involved, though, this weekend’s annual event is a chance to watch the state’s top seniors from each classification.

Action gets under way at 1 p.m. today with the Class AA-A boys game with the Class AAA boys to follow at 3 p.m. On Sunday, the girls teams will take the field at the same starting times.

Aside from celebrating much of West Virginia’s top high school talent, the game has also severed as a recruiting tool of sorts. Last season, 13 colleges — ranging from Division I to Division III schools — were in attendance, including all but one in-state school.

“Every year we invite local college coaches to attend,” North-South game coordinator Jon Cain said. “(Schools) are still recruiting, and this is a good way to find kids who might have slipped through the cracks.”

In all, 187 players are slated to take part in this year’s games, 12 from Marion County.

East Fairmont’s Nolan Harvath and Nick Tootman, Fairmont Senior’s Zack Garrett and North Marion’s Lucas Pammer are on the Class AAA North boys roster.

Fairmont Senior’s Laura Dalton, Tai Cattafesta, Lizzy Turner, Megan Cremeans, Lauren Retton, Morgan Cain, East Fairmont’s Jenna Wood and North Marion’s Tiffany Nicholson will suit up for the girls squad.

Tickets are $5 for adults and $4 students each day.

“It’s a chance for people who want to see the game of soccer to see the best in the state,” Cain said.

E-mail Nick Cammuso at ncammuso@timeswv.com.

        

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