Published: November 13, 2008 09:30 am         

Frankfort’s Moreland first-team All-State

Dayton, Bierman named to Class AA-A second team

SHORT GAP, W.Va. — Senior midfielder Crystal Moreland, who helped lead Frankfort to sectional and regional championships and a spot in the girls soccer state tournament, was voted to the Class AA-A All-State first team by the West Virginia Sports Writers Association.

The Falcons had three players earn all-state honors. Senior striker Diane Dayton and sophomore defender Raven Bierman were named to the second team.

Coach Bob Mielecki’s Falcons beat Petersburg and Berkeley Springs to win their sectional tournament, then roared back to take Grafton, 6-4, in an overtime shootout in a thrilling region final for a trip to the state tournament, the first in the program’s history.

Frankfort lost to Weir, 3-1, in the state semifinals, and ended the season with a 12-7 overall record.

• Moreland, one of 15 players on the first team, finished fifth in the Cumberland area in scoring. In 18 games, she scored 18 goals and had five assists for 41 points and a 2.27 scoring average.

“Crystal scored in all but two of our games, I believe, and in one of those two we played her on defense,’’ said Mielecki. “It is quite an achievement to score that many goals from the midfield position.

“She is very quick and has a very hard shot. She can score from the outside and can also dribble past defenders and score inside, too. Crystal is a real hard worker and provided us with great leadership on the field.”

Moreland, a team captain, was a three-year starter. She also ran on Frankfort’s state champion 4x100 relay team during the spring track and field season.

• Dayton led the Falcons in goals, assists and scoring average. She ranked fourth in the area in scoring, getting 21 goals and 10 assists for 52 points in 18 games for a 2.88 per-game average.

“Diane really stood out in every game, and opposing defenses would key on her by either putting their best defender on her or double-teaming her,’’ said Mielecki. “She has the ability to shoot and score from long range and was also a very good passer. She shielded the ball well from defenders, and with her speed and quickness could outrun a lot of them, too.”

• Bierman was a big key on the Frankfort defense, which posted six shutouts, including two in the postseason. The defense allowed one goal or less in 11 of the 19 games.

“Raven had played and started as a freshman last year, and this year stepped it up and played the middle defender for us. She was our most experienced defender, had a great year and was a real key to our defense.”

Moreland and Dayton will be players and Mielecki a coach in the North-South Senior All-Star game, Nov. 23, at 1 p.m., in Fairmont. The annual game is sponsored by the West Virginia High School Soccer Coaches Association.

Mike Mathews is a Cumberland Times-News sports writer. Contact Mike Mathews at mmathews@times-news.com.