Clarion River Valley Strikers U10 Green Finishes Season Undefeated (11/06/14)
(By Kelly Wiant-Todorov)
The Clarion River Valley Strikers U10 Green Team finished their fall 2014 season with an undefeated record of 8-0 in the PA West District 7 Lake division. This 10 member team, along with Coach Corey Bickert and Coach Kelly Antonucci, worked very hard to accomplish the first CRVS U10 undefeated season.
(Photos by Kelly Wiant-Todorov) Coach Corey Bickert with a congratulatory shower
Sunday, October 26th was a chilly and windy afternoon in Erie at Millcreek, but the Clarion U10 Green Team was burning up with excitement for the last game of the season.
The match started with Lexi Coull (#85) and Devon Lauer (#7) playing forward, Bailee Verdill (#61) in the mid-field, Derick Smail (#5) and Kaleb Wolbert (#62) were on defense with Tyler Bingham (#1) in the net.
With the blow of the whistle the Strikers were on attack in the offensive zone. Millcreek was battling back but Kaleb and Derick were strong on defense and held them at mid-field.
Lexi and Devon were being stopped at the net when Bailee pushed through to be the first to get on the scoreboard, 1-0. Devon soon followed with a shot that found the back of the net for a quick 2-0 lead for the Strikers.
Nikolai Todorov (#13) and Curt Womeldorf (#15) jumped on as forwards with Dawson Smail (#6) in mid-field and Kendall Dunn (#52) joined Kaleb on defense.
The teamwork and discipline between Nikolai, Curt and Dawson was exciting to watch. Kendall and Kaleb were on top of Millcreek and the Strikers were playing a strong game.
Millcreek found some hustle and was pushing back with persistence. However, Tyler was on his game and made some great saves to keep his net clean.
Undefeated 2014 CRSV 10-Under Team: Front (L-R) Lexi Coull, Kendall Dynn, Tyler Bingham, Derick Smail, and Nikolai Todorov
Back (L-R) Coach Corey Bickert, Curt Womeldorf, Bailee Verdill, Dawson Smail, Devon Lauer, Kaleb Wolbert and Coach Kelly Antonucci
The clock was winding down when a line change added some excitement as Bailee took a wide shot that found the net and the Strikers ended the first half, 3-0.
The second half of the match started with Nikolai in mid-field, Dawson and Curt on as forwards, while Kaleb and Derrick were assisting Tyler in defending the net.
Millcreek came charging out and kept the defense on their toes, but with some hard work the net stayed empty. The Strikers kept pushing back, but their shots were not finding the net.
Devon and Bailee swung on as forwards with Lexi supporting mid-field, while Kaleb and Kendall helped Tyler hold down the fort. However, Millcreek squeezed one through and Erie was now on the scoreboard, 3-1.
The excitement was growing as the Strikers could feel the end of the match was coming near. When the final whistle blew, the U10 Green Strikers exploded with joy as they had just ended their fall 2014 season undefeated.
With Coach Corey and Coach Kelly fulfilling their team agreement, an ice bucket soon found Corey. The fall 2014 soccer season will be one to be cherished and remembered throughout the years. The team would like to thank Coach Corey, Coach Kelly and all the volunteers at Clarion River Valley Strikers for their support this season. Go Strikers!
(Thanks to Kelly Wiant-Todorov for the article and photos. Congratulations Strikers!!!!)