Jun 6, 2024
Submitted photo Four Elkins Seneca Soccer teams that competed in the West Virginia Soccer Association’s Open Cup last month were honored at the Rotary Amphitheater this week. The Elkins 12 years-old-and-under and 14 years-old-and-under girls teams were both named tournament champions, alongside the Elkins 15 years-old-and-under co-ed squad. The Elkins boys 12years-old-and-under team earned a second-place finish in their division.
ELKINS — A group of local youth soccer players were honored this week for their participation in a tournament in Charleston that ended abruptly because of gunfire in a nearby neighborhood.
On May 19, four teams from the Elkins Seneca Soccer League were competing in the West Virginia Soccer Association’s Open Cup at the Shawnee Sports Complex in Charleston, when shots echoed across the several soccer and baseball fields at the facility.
The drive-by shooting took place two blocks from the sports complex and sent players, coaches and spectators scrambling for cover, including a large group of adults and children from Elkins.
“All four of our teams were playing on those fields at the same time when the shooting took place,” Seneca Soccer League president Ellen Shepherd told The Inter-Mountain. “We had two teams that had to jump the fence at the complex to get out and take cover, The other two teams were close enough to the entrance to get out that way.”
The remainder of the tournament was canceled because of the shooting and the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Department arrested three individuals in the incident the following day.
Shepherd, who is a teacher at Third Ward Elementary School, said the Randolph County Board of Education provided players with counseling after the scary event.
“It was scary for everyone involved and the board provided counseling the next day for any student who needed it,” Shepherd said. “They did a great job of checking in on everybody and they were really helpful for the kids and families.”
On Monday, in a ceremony held at the Rotary Amphitheatre downtown, Elkins Mayor Jerry Marco honored the four teams and the players for their courage and performance in the tournament.
The Elkins 12 years-old-and-under and 14 years-old-and-under girls teams were both crowned champions of the tourney, as was the 15 years-old-and-under co-ed squad. The Elkins boys 12 years-old-and-under team earned a second-place finish in their division.
“After they canceled the tournament, the awards were sent to Elkins and we were happy to honor the kids at the Amphitheatre,” Marco said. “They had great success at the tournament and that was attributed to their hard work, dedication and a lot of practice time. I commend all the players, coaches and players. I’m very proud of them for the way they played and represented the City of Elkins.”
For more information about Seneca Soccer and its upcoming fall league, visit the organization’s Facebook page or email senecasoccer@gmail.com.
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