12-08-2025
GIRLS' SOCCER PREVIEW: Morgantown High has eyes set on returning to state tournament
MORGANTOWN — The Morgantown High girls' soccer team has established itself as one of the top programs in the state in recent years, with back-to-back state championships in 2022 and 2023, and multiple players being honored with player of the year awards and all-state recognition.
Some of the most impactful players to ever put on the jersey have been recent graduates of MHS in the past three to four years, such as Gracie Brown, Ariana Borneo, and Lilly Staples, just to name a few.
Despite the loss of some key players in recent years, the Mohigans are focused on what's in front of them entering the third season under head coach Bri Frontuto as the 2025 season approaches.
'We have a lot of versatility and strong pieces this year,' Frontuto said. 'There are some new faces and young talent. I'm most excited that we will have a JV for the first time in my tenure and in quite some time for the program. The focus is on the here and now. I will always value the players that come through and build the foundation of this program, but that is the natural progression of things. I don't see a point in dwelling on it. With that being said, I think a lot fewer eyes are on us this year, and we get to just put our heads down and work and surprise a lot of people.'
She says seeing consistent growth has been something massive for the program in her years as head coach so far.
'I think any coach that feels 100% comfortable coming into the season isn't doing their job right,' she said. 'There are always things to be improved, and looking to change and make things better. This year, the preparation has been more intense, and getting our numbers up has been an enormous shift in the right direction.'
MHS finished last season 17-3-2, falling to George Washington in the Class AAA semifinals in a penalty kick shootout.
While the loss of Borneo and Staples will be felt, MHS returns leading goal-scorer Ella Miller, who scored 21 goals and provided 10 assists last season. The youngest Brown, Gabbie, sister of Sammie and Gracie, who both played at MHS, and daughter of current WVU women's soccer coach Nikki Izzo-Brown, will also return for the Mohigans.
'Ella is on a mission,' Frontuto said. 'I won't spoil it for everyone, but I think you'll see pretty quickly where she is headed and what she wants to do this season. She has put in the work. She isn't letting anything or anyone get in her way. If she isn't already on teams' radar, she will be quickly.'
MHS will open its season on the road against Weir on Wednesday, August 20, at 6:00 p.m.
The Mohigans will play their home-opener on Tuesday, August 26, at 8:00 p.m. with Lincoln visiting Pony Lewis Field.
'I try to get some new teams each year and see different sides,' Frontuto said of the schedule. 'I wanted to build in more time to grow as a team and benefit from training and load at the right times. I like to ramp up the end and get ready for the playoffs. I think I was ahead of the curve with the classification switch because I already had Eastern Panhandle teams built in. I remember going to states my first season and being nervous. I had no film or any idea of what came out of the Eastern Panhandle, and since then, I have been intentional about being prepared on that front and paying attention to games statewide.'
UNIVERSITY HIGH
KEY PLAYERS: Mairin Gillespie (Sr.), Avery Alexander (Jr.), Sydney Blohm (So.)
OPENING MATCHES: Aug. 20 at Lewis County, Aug. 23 at Brooke, Aug. 26 at Parkersburg South
PRESTON HIGH
KEY PLAYERS: Ava Turner (So.), Kylie Ross (Sr.), Zoe Fasouletos (So.)
OPENING MATCHES: Aug. 22 at Berkeley Springs, Aug. 25 vs. Uniontown (Pa.), Aug, 25 at Keyser
