Clarion River Valley Strikers Girls Victorious In First Game (04/18/14)

on 18 April, 2014 at 16:22

(By Matt Lerch)

In the ongoing chronicle of the continuously developing Clarion River Valley Strikers Soccer Club, now featuring 7 competitive traveling soccer teams, our darlings of the group, the U10 all Girls squad, took a victory home during their first game of the spring season. Competing in the spirited PA West Soccer League, Lake Division, with rivals as far away as Erie, the girls won against their first competitors, even though the competitors were their own sibling club the Clarion U10 boys.

(Photo by Matt Lerch)
CRVS U-10 Girls

Featuring virtually the same soccer team rosters as the fall of 2013, the girls beat the Clarion boys 1-0 Sunday April 17 at the Clarion County Park in Paint Township on a beautiful spring day. The tides turned this week as the Clarion U10 girls went home in defeat last fall against the same boys squad.

The first half was kicked off with twin sisters Reagan and Shawna Pack leading the offense with support from Parker Boyden playing midfield. Defense was composed of stand out defender Riley Burford and the uncompromising Korrin Burns. During the first half goaltender Evelyn Lerch made 7 saves against a strong Boys team. With the soccer ball volleying back and forth across the soft and unforgiving field both defenses held their own. Then a ray of hope shined upon the gritty girls from North Clarion, Clarion Limestone and Clarion Area. Power forward Reagan Pack had an opportunity for a corner kick against the crowded field with all offensive girls in position to take the shot on goal. Miraculously none of the offense even had to take the shot as Pack’s corner kick inexplicably soared into the goal around the goaltender in a “Bend it Like Beckham” moment.

That was the only score of the game as the defenses on both sides held tough for the second half. Robyn Stahlman, Oliva Bish and Joyce Kim supported the offense and defense as Payton Simko and Lexi Coull missed the 2014 debut game. During the second half goaltender Shawna Pack saved 9 shots on goal in a victory that should help propel this “Moxie Crew” to a winning season in 2014.

Special thanks for the CRVS U10 Girls victory goes to coach Perry Boyden, second season coach, who has the girls and all those around, believing this collection of girls has some magic.

(Thanks to Matt Lerch for this article and photo.)