BECKLEY (WVDN) – The Greenbrier East Spartans soccer team captured the 2022 West Virginia state championship this past weekend after defeating Wheeling Park 2-1 on Friday morning and then taking down Spring Mills 2-0 in the finals on Saturday morning.
In the semifinal contest against Wheeling Park, Chase Mizia got the Spartans on the board first for a 1-0 lead with a penalty kick, then with the contest tied at 1-1 with about four minutes to go, Adam Seams made the game winner.
The Spring Mills game was very defensive. The Cardinals spent a good bit of time on the East side of the field in the first half, but goalkeeper Joe Cochran made some nice saves, and the Cardinals also kicked a couple over the goal and out of play.
Still scoreless after halftime with 29:56 left in the game, Seams got loose on a break and went 1-on-2 and made a gorgeous goal past the Cardinal defenders. That put the Spartans up 1-0. Later, Seams had a no-look assist to Luke Dolin who put it in the corner of the net for the 2-0 score.
After that goal, East could feel the championship dreams starting to become a reality.
“I had nothing but pure confidence that the state championship was going to be ours. The crowd and momentum absolutely swung to us,” Seams said.
“It feels amazing to be a part of history and a legacy of a program,” he added.
The Spartans’ defense was nothing short of incredible all season long, and what made it even tougher was Cochran on the back end stopping everything. After the Spring Mills shutout, he went up to 15 shutouts on the season.
A lot of media and other coaches think Cochran is the best keeper in the state, and after solidifying a state title, that accolade has a lot of merit.
“To be called the best goalkeeper in the state is a big confidence boost and an amazing achievement. I have to give all the glory to God. I know I couldn’t have been where I am without His help as an individual and on the field. As I’ve said before, playing goalie is very hard on you mentally. I overthink on things and sometimes second guess myself,” Cochran said.
The junior remains humble and grateful for the position he is in.
“Playing in the goal confidently is key. That being said about me boosts my confidence in my ability to perform as a player. To be known as the best keeper in the state is incredible, but I also believe there are many other keepers in this state that are also very talented and amazing goalkeepers like me,” Cochran said.
Greenbrier East has had just a handful of state championships, in any sport, in the school’s 40-year history. What the soccer team and head coach Lucas Lemine did this season will be remembered forever and can never be taken away from the players or coaches.
There will be more soccer content this week to continue to recap the state champs.
