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HansonÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s goal set the score at 3-0 and took steam out of the visitorsÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ comeback hopes in the United States Youth Soccer Eastern Regional Championships at Barboursville Park.

The West Virginia team, made up of girls from Barboursville, Charleston, Hurricane, Teays Valley and Wheeling, needed just one goal, and scored it on Alexandra BlanchardÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s corner kick midway through the first half.

Blanchard was trying to pass to a teammate in front of the net, but the ball curved into the right-side panel for a 1-0 lead.

ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œI was just trying to get it in the box, but it went in, so IÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ll take it,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥� Blanchard said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œI was happy.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥�

Brenna Tipton added a goal just before half, kicking in a rebound off the hands of the Maine squadÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s goalkeeper. Hanson scored off a header late.

WVFC goalkeeper Maddie Kirchner earned the shutout. She made four saves, only one that appeared to be close to going into the goal.

ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œI just saw the ball and stopped it,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥� said Kirchner, who dived to make the stop. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œI made sure it didnÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™t go in the goal.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥�

Kirchner said her teammates made her job easy, controlling the ball. She praised WVFCÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s passing. Hanson, too, said moving the ball was key.

ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œI feel like our passes were good and we were communicating, which is good,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥� Hanson said.

WVFC coach Dennis Ahebwa said he was pleased with his teamÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s effort, especially since the girls havenÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™t played together much.

ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œItÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s June, so theyÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™re doing a lot with their families,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥� Ahebwa said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œTheyÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™re coming together and figuring things out. TheyÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™re a very competitive group. TheyÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™re hard-working; they listen.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥�

WVFC (2-0) moves on to take on Steel United Elite (2-0) out of Virginia at noon Saturday at Barboursville Park.