By Carl Holcomb
Moorefield Examiner
The most popular sport in the world is finally getting a kick at Moorefield High School as Boys and Girls Soccer programs are starting their inaugural seasons.
Moorefield Girls Soccer will be coached by Jessica Markwood, a former collegiate soccer player and Potomac Highlands Soccer League youth coach.
Coach Markwood is familiar with new beginnings having been a member of the first Hampshire Girls Soccer team before joining the Shepherd University squad and her father was a founding member of the youth soccer league in Hampshire County and first regional commissioner.
Moorefield Girls Soccer team members include: Kiera Cornett (senior, midfield), Elizabeth ”Izzy” Tusing (senior, midfield), Elizabeth Williams (senior, midfield), Makenna See (senior, defense), Grace Simmons (junior, midfield/goalkeeper), Jocelyn Wagner (junior, forward), Valeria Tanysh (junior, midfield), Kailynn Penkov (sophomore, goalkeeper), Parvatee Snyder (sophomore, forward), Chloe Leroux (sophomore, defense), Kenedy Kuh (freshman, defense), Emily Parisi (freshman, forward), Allie Wyman (freshman, defense), Riley Strawderman (midfield) and Valeska David-Lobo (midfield).
“I’m thrilled to be part of the beginning of a program that I know will have a positive impact on our student-athletes and the community. I started playing soccer in 1996 when my dad, John Lamb, and seven others took the initiative to bring the sport to Hampshire County. He served as the first AYSO regional commissioner there for 5 years, and during those early years of building the program, I played and tagged along to coaching clinics, referee trainings, and helped line more fields than I can count. Along the way, I fell in love with the game and saw firsthand how much it gave back—especially in creating new opportunities and reaching kids who wanted something different,” Moorefield Girls Soccer Coach Jessica Markwood commented.
“We finally got a team my sophomore year at Hampshire High, playing an all-travel schedule that first season. I went on to play at Shepherd as a defensive wing, so it feels full circle to now be coaching a varsity girls team in its very first year—just like I experienced as a player at their age. More than anything, I’m excited to help build a foundation that gives these girls the confidence and opportunities to go on and do great things.”
Coach Markwood has noticed how the girls clicked together from day one in helping the team chemistry flourish from the start.
“Team chemistry is essential, and we’re fortunate that our girls connected from day one. Our motto this year is “Health, Happiness, and High Performance,” and it’s important that these young women learn to balance all three—both on and off the field. Soccer is a powerful tool for developing this mind set. It not only builds confidence in 1v1 situations, but also strengthens team dynamics, mental toughness through endurance, spatial awareness, and creative play in ways few other sports can. It’s truly an honor to support these athletes as they grow and develop both as players and people” Markwood noted.
There is an air of excitement for the team to play this season on pitches across the Mountain State.
“The team is incredibly excited to play, and I’m excited to see them in action as a unit. They’ve come a long way from the first practice, and they’re getting better every day. Our speed in the front with Jocelyn Wagner, Parvatee Snyder, and Emily Parisi is a real threat. I’m counting on a lot of possessions won in the middle field and ball movement from Elizabeth Williams, Grace Simmons, Kiera Cornett, and Izzy Tusing. Valeria Tanysh, Riley Strawderman, and Valeska David-Lobo are developing quickly—they’ve been putting in the work, and I’m confident this will be a breakout year for each of them. I have a lot of faith in our defense with Makenna See, Kenedy Kuh, Allie Wyman, and Chloe Leroux. I’m also excited to let Kailynn “Big Dawg” Penkov ‘off the chain,’ and expect her and Grace Simmons to perform well as our goalkeepers. Overall, as a new program and first-year team, I’m looking forward to this group rising to the occasion and overcoming the challenges this year’s schedule will bring,” Coach Markwood concluded.
Moorefield Girls Soccer players shared their enthusiasm about being on the first girls soccer team in school history and goals for the season:
“I am senior this year and I am most excited to win some games this year and hopefully make it to regionals and further. I really excited to be on the first Moorefield Girls Soccer team.” – Elizabeth Williams
“I am a senior this year. What it means to be on the first ever Moorefield Soccer team, I am honored to and I hope we win a bunch of games this year and work together as a team and have fun.” – Makenna See
“I am in 12th grade and I am pretty psyched. I am happy to be here.” – Izzy Tusing
“I am in 10th grade. My goals and how I feel about this team, I am happy we got a soccer team this year. I’ve wanted it for a long time. I just want to win games.” – Chloe Leroux
“I am in ninth grade. I am excited to be on the first Moorefield Soccer team.” – Emily Parisi
“I am in ninth grade. I am honored to be on the first Moorefield Soccer team and my goal is for us to work better as a team.” – Kenedy Kuh
“I am a junior on this soccer team. I feel very happy and joyful being here.” – Valeria Tanysh
“I am a ninth grader. I am pretty ecstatic to be on the first Moorefield Soccer team.” – Allie Wyman
“I am a junior this year. I am excited to be on the first ever soccer team. My goal for the season is to get better and I hope we win some games.” – Grace Simmons
“I am a senior this year. I am very excited to be on the MHS Soccer team. I really hope we win a lot of games, because we’re good like that.” – Kiera Cornett
“I am a sophomore. My goal is to win a couple games, hopefully. I haven’t played soccer in a while and I am very excited to be playing. I played in the Potomac Highlands Soccer League. I am very exited to be on this first team” – Kailynn Penkov
A plethora of these players grew up competing in the Potomac Highlands Soccer League.
Moorefield Boys Soccer will be coached by Larry Foster, a former semi-professional player and PHSL youth coach.
“The best way to describe the feeling is like a barrier has been broken or a wall being taken down. However, I know that this is just the first step for the school and the program. I am truly honored to be the coach of the first boys’ soccer program in MHS history,” Moorefield Boys Soccer coach Larry Foster stated.
“Team chemistry changes daily as the boys continue to learn, work, Olay, and grow together to become one unit. As a former player of the sport and now as a coach of the sport, I am very pleased with the progress of the team. The team consists of players with various skill levels which is key to building a well-rounded team at least in my opinion,” Coach Foster added.
Moorefield Boys Soccer team members include: Javier Acosta (senior, forward), Dane Foster (senior, defense), Anthony Lumia (senior, mid/forward/defense), Pedro Mucu Mo (senior, midfield), Eduardo Elias Escobar (senior, mid/forward), Bereket Tamiru (senior, mid/forward), Yaziel Torres (senior, defense), Theywist Velasco (junior, defense), Chernet Ansani (junior, mid/forward), Chris Baldwin (junior, goalkeeper/mid/defense), Zin Myat (junior, mid/forward/defense), Wilber Perez-Ramirez (sophomore, forward), Austin Arbaugh (sophomore, forward), Laurencio Sanchez (sophomore, mid/defense), Anthony Jackson (sophomore, mid/defense), Isaac Alvarez-Perez (sophomore, defense), Edgar Cambero (sophomore, mid/defense/goalkeeper), Kurtis Molen (sophomore, defense), Danny Guifarro-Buca (freshman, midfield), Ledziel Matos (freshman, midfield) and Teagan Eversole (freshman, mid/defense/goalkeeper).
Moorefield Boys Soccer players shared their excitement for being on the first boys soccer team in school history and goals for the season:
“We will get better. It is cool.” – Danny Guifarro-Buca
“I am excited and want to help the team win every match as possible.” – Javier Acosta
“I’m excited to play Moorefield Soccer. I am on defense.” – Edgar Cambero
“I am a freshman. I play offensive midfield. My goals this year is to win games and play better. I am really excited.” – Teagan Eversole
“I am in 12th grade and mid-offensive. I am real excited.” – Pedro Mo
“I am in 11th grade. I am excited for this year. My goal is to be one of the best on the team. I play right defensive midfield.” – Zin Myat
“I am a sophomore and I play defense. The goals for the year is to win games. I am proud to be part of the first program.” – Anthony Jackson
“I am a junior in high school. I play center midfield. My goals are to win some games and help the team. I am really excited to be on this first team. It is very meaningful to be part of it.. – Chernet Ansani
“I am a senior. My main position is on defense. My goal for this year is to win games and get better in the sport. I am really pumped to play soccer, because my brother (Gary) loved it and I am doing it in a way to honor him. In all my years, my dad (Larry) coached me.” – Dane Foster
“I am in ninth grade. My goals for this year is to win games and get better. I am very excited. I play midfielder.” – Ledziel Matos
“I am a senior at Moorefield High School. I play defense and midfield. I am very excited to be part of this team with everyone. My goals for this year is to win games, have fun with teammates and make memories.” – Bereket Tamiru
“I am a senior. It feels wonderful. It feels great. I am glad to have good teammates. My goal is to win games and have fun with my teammates. I play midfield and defense.” – Yaziel Torres
“I will be put in at defense or midfield. I am a sophomore. It is pretty nice. I would recommend it for next year. I hope to play until my senior year when I move. I am excited to play with friends and hope to win games.” – Laurencio Sanchez
The Yellow Jackets have an all-road match schedule during the first season in existence which commenced with a doubleheader match at Frankfort.
Moorefield Girls/Boys Soccer visits Petersburg tomorrow where Potomac Highlands Soccer League teams will be honored.
The Yellow Jackets squads travel to Berkeley Springs on Tuesday.
The regular season concludes for the girls on October 13 against Berkeley Springs and the boys battle Notre Dame on October 16.
