BECKLEY, W.Va. (WV News) – There will be a new state champion in Class A/AA boys soccer.
The second-seeded East Fairmont Bees dethroned the 2023 winners, the Point Pleasant Black Knights, 2-1, in semifinal action on Thursday night. With less than two minutes to go in the first half with the score 1-1, a through ball sent Bee forward Lucas Messenger in on goal and he made no mistake, finishing past charging Point Pleasant goalkeeper Lucas Beckett. East Fairmont took the lead on an audacious chip outside the box on the left side by Kollin Maxey in the 22nd minute.
“We tell them to take shots,” East Fairmont coach Ian Hayhurst said. “You never know what can happen. We have a few players that can finish very, very well.
Kollin had a beautiful shot.” But Point Pleasant got even two minutes later when Colten Angus created space at the top of the 18-yard box and finished a beautiful shot into the top right corner. The Black Knights had a look on a long free kick in the 30th minute from Jaren Reed was saved by EF goalkeeper Charlie Boyer.
The lead established by Messenger’s goal held up, but the second half wasn’t short on chances either way. In the 44th minute, Maxey tried another chip that went over the top of the goal. The other way, Point Pleasant’s Joey Pinkerton headed a free kick service from Reed wide.
“We know Joey’s a very good player. He’s good with the ball at his feet. He’s good at moving the ball quickly,” Hayhurst said.
“We were working on k.
