Photo Provided Wheeling Central freshman defender Maddie Steele challenges the ball during the second half of Friday’s Class AA-A West Virginia Secondary Schools Activities Commission State Soccer Championship match against Lincoln High School.

BECKLEY, W.Va. — Wheeling Central girls soccer coach Bill Konkle knew coming into this season that something special was brewing on the pitch for the East Wheeling school. That played out through the year with a 20-3-1 record and a regional championship — and on Friday afternoon ended with a state championship.

Wheeling Central used two first-half goals and added another in the second to capture the school’s first West Virginia state soccer championship with a 3-1 win over Lincoln High School in the Class AA-A finals.

The trip to Beckley marked the first time the Lady Knights had made the state soccer tournament. To go on and win the title shows just how special this team was, Konkle said.

“Our girls played such a hard schedule. We tried to prepare them as much as possible for this moment,” Konkle said. “I think they did such a good job keeping their composure throughout the tournament. They were really focused on wanting to win this year.

“Lincoln is a great team. We played them earlier in the season to a 3-1 win as well. I just couldn’t be prouder of the girls.”

Wheeling Central played a flawless first half. After taking the first 10 minutes to figure out Lincoln’s scheme, the Lady Maroon Knights went on the attack. Sophomore Loni Kusic struck a ball off a great center that hit off the post in the 11th minute. Then, one minute later, freshman midfielder Elah Konkle drove a ball from the top of the box that went just over the goalkeeper’s fingertips for a 1-0 lead. Four minutes later Konkle struck again with another drive into the net for a 2-0 lead.

Central had several opportunities later in the first half and generally kept play in the Lincoln half. The Cougars generated a few opportunities late but strong play by senior defender Gianna Konkle and freshman Maddie Steele kept Lincoln in check. Keeper Bella Fitzsimmons tallied two saves in the first half.

“We really wanted to set the tone early and get the lead and build our energy,” Elah Konkle said. “I had good looks and struck the ball well on both goals.”

Coach Konkle said grabbing an early lead was crucial — particularly with the wind at their back. Gusts of up to 30 mph pushed through Paul Cline Stadium all afternoon and impacted play.

“We had the wind at our backs in the first half. I chose to have it for the first half because I didn’t want to get down a few goals early. So I took a risk there to have it in the first half, which paid off because (both goals) were longer-range shots and kind of high for their keeper. So I think that was a good decision that worked out well,” Konkle said.

Wheeling Central kept up the pressure in the second half. Following a schematic shift, Sophomore Rylee Wright found herself in scoring position and notched a goal five minutes in on an excellent feed from Kusic to make the score 3-0. It would stay that way for the next 15 minutes until Lincoln finally cracked the scoreboard off a corner kick to make the score 3-1.

The Lady Maroon Knights weathered a late storm from Lincoln but held on for the victory, with Fitzsimmons nabbing several additional saves.

Gianna Konkle said the team’s defensive strategy focused on shutting down Lincoln’s strong attack — particularly striker Erin Ashcraft.

“We knew going in that they had a strong attacker. We knew that she was very good and that we had to shut her down and keep the momentum up in the back half of the field. We knew how good our defense and our goalkeeper is, and we all had faith in one another throughout the game, so we were able to hold back their attack,” Gianna Konkle said.

Elah Konkle was honored following the game as the tournament’s most valuable player.

Konkle said coaching his daughters to a state championship — Elah is a freshman, and senior Gianna anchors the Wheeling Central defense — was a special moment. He also pointed out the team’s eight seniors and the leadership they exhibited throughout the season as a big key to Wheeling Central’s success.

“We had such good senior leaders. The girls depend on them to keep them in line with the practices, keep everything scheduled and organized. The leadership they give set that standard all season. This year’s underclassmen have a model they can follow in the future,” he said.

“While it’s going to be hard to see those seniors go, we do have a group of girls that have been waiting in line that are going to fill those spots. We fully expect Wheeling Central girls soccer to be a team of excellence for years to come.”