Girls U12 Clarion River Valley Strikers Persevere Despite Slim Loss to Greenville (05/05/15)

(By Matt Lerch)

The Clarion River Valley Strikers Girls U12 soccer team competed against Greenville Sunday May 3rd at Clarion County Park. The sun was shining and the girls knew that the Greenville girls maintained a similar record going into Sunday’s game.

(Photo by Matt Lerch) Girls U12 Clarion RIver Valley Strikers Spring 2015

After Clarion won their first game in shutout fashion, they have been playing teams with more depth and strength ever since. Greenville was no exception. With 6 substitutes on the bench Greenville had more depth to Clarion’s single substitute. But that didn’t stop Clarion from putting on a show.

The home town girls started the afternoon by firmly keeping the ball in Greenville’s territory. Strikers Joyce Kim, Parker Boyden and Cami Wolmodorf pressured Greenville’s tall goalie peppering her with 6 shots in the first half. Midfielder Korrin Burns turned on some magic by outplaying Greenville’s defense only to have her 2 shots stopped at the last second. Speed on the outside was Olivia Bish’s job as she kept stealing the ball and juking the much larger Greenville midfielders. But Greenville had a few tricks up their sleeve. One Greenville forward had Northern Steel Soccer Club experience and was able to dance with the ball through midfield until she met Clarion’s center defender Jenna Miller. The intrepid Miller was a force to be reckoned with as outside defenders Ali Clark and Riley Burns backed her up. Time and time again Greenville tried to mix it up but Miller’s fearless play kept them with only 4 shots on goalie Evelyn Lerch in the first half and no scores.

Then came a break, a fast break. Goalie Lerch punted the ball past half field to an awaiting forward Wolmodorf who patiently waited for the ball to bounce in front and took it to the house. Evading two defenders Wolmodorf shot left side and scored to make it a 1-0 contest going into halftime.

Adjusting Miller back into the goal and Lerch into the field, the Strikers saw a reinvigorated Greenville team come out in the second half. Miller saw three shots on goal immediately which she stopped with ease. And then a few bad breaks occurred. The Greenville team scored with a high angle shot that found the back of the net. Greenville also performed perfect corner kicks and one more ball found the back of the net from the corner. Final score, Clarion 1 and Greenville 2.

The Strikers time and time again tried to find the back of the goal but it was all for not. Another valiant effort was chalked up by this scrappy Clarion team that promises to keep on doing what they do best…giving it everything they’ve got.

The Clarion River Valley Strikers U12 Girls team travels to Grove City next Sunday for their next effort.