From today's Chucktown paper:


quote:
-

West Ashley's Callie Purvis (left) battles James Island's Kelly Gosnell for control of a loose ball Tuesday during the Wildcats' victory over the Trojans.


Brothers sisters lift Wildcats

BY PHILIP M. BOWMAN
Of The Post and Courier Staff

Oh, Brothers: The West Ashley High School girls' soccer team is heading back to the Class AAAA state championship match after a one-year absence. And the Wildcats are in the running for their third state title in four years thanks to sisters Alexis and Alechia Brothers.

The twins led the Wildcats to a 2-1 victory over James Island Tuesday night in the Lower State championship match, played in front of approximately 600 fans at Memorial Stadium on James Island.

Alexis Brothers scored the winning goal in the 71st minute, nine minutes after missing a wide-open chip shot. Alechia Brothers was superb the entire night from her keeper position, as she recorded seven saves, including three in stoppage time at the end of regulation.

"What can I say? We have one in the front and one in the back and they look out for each other," West Ashley coach Drew McNeely said.

"Alechia really stepped up her game, and that was huge. Alexis played great and played hard. When she steps up her game, that's the difference in our team."

James Island dominated early and often, but could manage only one goal. James Island outshot West Ashley 11-3 in the first half and 11-4 in the second half. But the Trojans managed only one score. That came in the 31st minute when Lisa Frawley assisted Kelly Gosnell.

The Wildcats got a major break when the Trojans were called for a handball in the box in stoppage time near the end of the first half. Julie Bolt scored and the Wildcats had new life and a 1-1 tie.

"There was no presence in the first half," we were nowhere to be found," said McNeely, whose team faces Fort Mill, a 1-0 winner over Mauldin, at 7 p.m. Friday in Columbia.

"The fact that we got out of there at 1-1 (at the end of the first half) was a gift. James Island came to play and I think they certainly outplayed us. I think either team would be an excellent representative from the Lower State. I guess that's why there's two halves. Tonight was a night for us to make some adjustments and challenge their will to win. And that's what happened."

It was the Wildcats' third victory over James Island this spring. West Ashley upped its record to 21-4, while the Trojans, the No. 1 seed in the Lower State, finished with the same record.

Alexis Brothers also scored in the second match against James Island. She had a golden opportunity Tuesday, but her chip shot from 20 yards sailed harmlessly over the crossbar.

"I missed that first one, and had to get it back," she said. "Danielle (Jordan) kicked it, I ran and got it and kicked it left-footed. I watched to see if it was going in. I though it was going to hit the post, but it didn't. Yes."

Alechia Brothers saw the game-winner from the opposite end of the field. She had been waiting for her sister to come through in the clutch.

"It was awesome," she said. "I was screaming her name all night to get a goal. I told her 'C'mon' and she finally put one in."