It is often said: It’s not the destination; it’s the journey.

 

The Lady Indians soccer team has its sights set on a WVSSAC Class AA victory this weekend, but senior members say they are elated about the opportunity to compete on a state level.

 

“It’s an amazing opportunity to go to states,” said four-year forward/midfielder Madison Ware. “It’s my first time going ever and it’s even better going with girls I’ve played with since I can remember. We deserve it so much. We work very hard and there would be no better feeling than winning states with my closest friends.”

 

Senior midfielder/defender Emma Perine said she and her team members have worked hard for a spot at the state tournament and that they have had their hearts set on a championship since the season began.

 

“This opportunity truly means the world to me. This is something I’ve never gotten to experience and it honestly couldn’t have been better timing,” she said. “This is one of the best teams I’ve ever played on and every single player has worked so hard for this all season.”

 

Midfielder/forward Madison Wilson, who started the season injured and worked hard to get back on the field, said she has more than one reason to dig in hard and bring home a victory.

 

“It certainly means a lot, not only because it’s my senior year, but it’s also nice to know that all the hard work to return from two ACL injuries is going to pay off in having this opportunity to play for a state championship with my teammates,” Wilson said.

 

Forward/midfielder Haylee Griffith said she knew going into this year’s season that the Tribe had a shot at a state championship.

 

“So, getting there isn’t the end goal for any of us,” she said. “Being a senior, this is the last chance to get that state title, but as a team we just need to get our heads on straight and work hard. We have the talent; we just have to use it.”

 

Coach John Reese said for the past few days, he has taken an even deeper look at his team’s skills and that he, Assistant Coach Valerie Barlow and their athletes have reviewed film and identified areas where they can improve. Then, they have taken the field and tweaked those areas.

 

“We saw it on film, practiced it and the girls took right to it,” he said. “It seems to be working a little better and the girls are fired up and ready to go.”

 

To put the fine tuning to the test, they have also been scrimmaging.

 

“We scrimmaged with three teams of seven and the winning team stayed on,” said Reese, who played right along with his girls.

 

He said his team is a close one; that they have the right amount of confidence, but they aren’t by any means taking this opportunity for granted.

 

The Lady Indians (19-1-1) face Charleston Catholic (19-1) in the second game Friday at the Paul Cline Memorial Sports Complex in Beckley. The game will start at about 11:30 a.m., just after the Oak Glen vs. Winfield game. Winners of Friday’s games will advance to the finals 9:30 a.m. Saturday.

 

Reese said he and his athletes have talked about every aspect of this weekend’s experience and they plan to focus on every moment – from holding hands and walking onto the field to eating out together the night before the big game.

 

He said he is grateful for his team’s work ethic and attitude and that every single member is healthy and without injury at this height of their season. He also credits his senior leaders – all who have been extended offers to play on a collegiate level.

 

Those seniors know what the team needs to do to accomplish its ultimate goal: A WVSSAC Class AA championship.

 

“We need to come into this game (hopefully games) with laser focus and intensity and just simply play soccer like we know how to do,” Perine said.

 

Griffith, Ware and Wilson agree.

 

“In order to bring home a championship, we need to stay composed, keep our spacing and capitalize on our shots,” Wilson said. “If we do those things, we will be fine.”

 

The Lady Indians last completed at the state level in 2015. The past three years, the team has had successful seasons, but hasn’t been able to break out of sectional play.

 

The Lady Indians' last and only state Class AA soccer championship was in 2012, when the Tribe defeated Fairmont Senior 3-2.

 

Editor's Note: Photos are by Ben Queen Photography. Senior players pictured from top are Madison Ware, Emma Perine, Madison Wilson and Haylee Griffith.