All schools in Upshur County will close at 1 p.m. today. All B-UHS sporting events today are canceled.

Bucs eliminated in sectional finals

B-U Soccer Coleman Shreve
Coleman Shreve and his fellow soccer seniors saw their B-UHS careers draw to a close in a loss to No. 1 University on Thursday. (File photo)

MORGANTOWN — There would be no repeat upset in 2018.

A year after the Buckhannon-Upshur High School soccer Buccaneers sent University packing in the postseason, the Hawks reclaimed the sectional title with a vengeance Thursday evening, throttling B-U 9-0.

Joseph Biafora was on a mission for the state’s top-ranked team. The striker didn’t just score a hat trick in the first half, he accounted for all four of University’s goals in the opening stanza.

Biafora added another goal in the second half — five goals is known as a ‘glut’ is soccer vernacular — to complete a truly impressive performance. Mason Shockley scored twice, while John Jones and Riley Nett contributed one goal apiece for the 9-0 final.

“Simply put we got beaten by a really good team,” B-U head coach Mike Donato said after the game. “Early on we were able to hold possession and create chances, but we couldn’t take advantage. University is a very quality team and they put that on display tonight. We knew we couldn’t make many mistakes because they would be able to take advantage of that, and they did.”

Despite the final score, statistically the game was far closer. The Hawks outshot B-U 11-7 and controlled just a 7-5 edge in corner kicks. Logan Kelley made three saves for the Bucs, while Tim Bailey had seven for University.

The Hawks stayed unbeaten at 20-0-1 heading into regionals.

Buckhannon-Upshur, meanwhile, finished the season at 9-10-3. They’ll say goodbye to a handful of seniors: Alek Seech, Coleman Shreve, Mark Burnside, Cam Ware and Guilherme Fleury Moura.

Donato spoke of the many successes and relentless work ethic of the 2018 team.

“I can’t thank these boys enough for a great game and season,” he said. “No matter what the score showed there was no quit and they played it out to the end.”

Share this story:

Local Businesses

RECENT Stories

Westfall reaches 1,000-point milestone as Bucs roll past Wheeling Park, 67-57

Senior Jerin Westfall scored a game-high 34 points, reached the 1,000-point career mark, and hauled in 15 rebounds as Buckhannon-Upshur defeated Wheeling Park 67-57.

Strawberry Festival Queen Kourtney Jones crowned 2026 WV Association of Fairs and Festivals Queen

Wesleyan nursing student and 2025 Strawberry Festival Queen Kourtney Jones was crowned the 2026 West Virginia Association of Fairs and Festivals Queen on Jan. 10 in Charleston. She’ll serve as the statewide ambassador for fairs and festivals throughout 2026.

Skinner delivers hopeful State of the City on Buckhannon’s 210th anniversary

Mayor Robbie Skinner marked Buckhannon’s 210th anniversary with an optimistic State of the City address highlighting progress across city departments. He emphasized major infrastructure work, including a $47 million water treatment project, and looked ahead to continued improvements and the 84th WV Strawberry Festival.

Buckhannon Mayor Robbie Skinner’s full 2026 State of the City address

In remarks delivered Jan. 15, 2026, Mayor Robbie Skinner marks Buckhannon’s 210th anniversary and outlines the city’s progress in 2025. He highlights major water, sewer, street, engineering, police and fire initiatives—plus what’s ahead for 2026.

Larry Dale VanGilder

Larry Dale VanGilder, 77, a French Creek native, Army veteran and former mine security guard who loved hunting, fishing, sci‑fi and his pets, died January 15, 2026, and will be memorialized by family and military honors.

Local Rotary club expands soft-plastics recycling drop-off sites in Upshur County

The Rotary Club of Buckhannon-Upshur has added more drop-off locations for its soft-plastics recycling project, keeping thousands of pounds out of local landfills. The effort helps fund balers and inclusive playground equipment made from recycled materials.

WVWC Center for Community Engagement & Leadership Development to host Community Labs on fundraising, marketing

WVWC’s Center for Community Engagement & Leadership Development is hosting free Community Labs to help local nonprofits, mission-driven groups, and businesses strengthen fundraising and marketing.

Upshur County Board of Education Agenda: January 20, 2026

The Upshur County Board of Education will hold a meeting January 20, 2026, and this notice outlines the agenda for that session.

Upshur County Convention & Visitors Bureau seeking executive director

Upshur County Convention & Visitors Bureau is hiring an executive director to lead tourism development, marketing and community engagement.