Clarion River Valley Strikers U12 Girls End Spring Soccer Season In A Big Way (06/12/15)
(By Matt Lerch)
(Photo by Matt Lerch) Girls U12 Clarion RIver Valley Strikers Spring 2015
The Clarion River Valley Strikers compiled a group of seasoned soccer players, all girls, 8 weeks ago in hopes of showing the PA West U12 Girls League that Clarion has what it takes. This group of Clarion County girls didn’t disappoint by finishing the season 3-3-2. All season the 9 players, having only one player available on the bench for substitutions, managed to outperform most teams all with at least 4 substitutes. Thanks to the support of several U10 Clarion girls pulling their own double headers the U12 girls were able to circumvent the problem of being 2 girls down with debilitating injuries.
The final two games of the season were played last weekend, Saturday, June 6th and Sunday, June 7th. On Saturday, the Strikers traveled to Hermitage playing a makeup game against Shenango Valley. This game ended in a draw, 2-2, with a come from behind tie. During the first half the Strikers were able to take several shots on the opponent’s goal with no results. Midfielder Olivia Bish took a left foot shot on goal and missed up high. Defender Ali Clark shot a bullet over the goal, evading the tall goaltender but also the goal. Forward Cami Womeldorf shot after a give and go with Joyce Kim and was stopped cold. Shenango Valley was able to split the Clarion defense in the first half with a score against goalie Evelyn Lerch. Another goal was scored against Lerch on a corner kick, for a 2-0 Shenango Valley lead, going into halftime.
Undeterred by Shenango’s apparent optimism by switching goalies, Clarion sought opportunity in the second half. Lerch punted the ball to half field where awaiting forward Womeldorf took the bouncer and scored against the replacement goalie. Korrin Burns put together a combination with Parker Boyden who pulled the trigger only to be stopped short of the goal. As the game wore on, the excitement grew and Clarion needed another goal to tie it up. Defenders Riley Burford, Anna Gribik and Ali Clark began to play forward to support the Clarion midfielders. Clark saw an opportunity to launch one of her power shots which found the back of the net for the tying goal. Lerch saved 12 shots on goal during the second half keeping the Clarion team afloat and maintained the 2-2 tie at the whistle.
The following day, the girls traveled to Warren to take on the Kinzua team that Clarion shut out 3-0 during the first game of the season. With defender Jenna Miller back after an illness Saturday, the defense was wound tight. Once again it was the defense that shined on offense. Defender Riley Burford took a shot on goal after a pass from Parker Boyden to take a 1-0 lead. A penalty ensued against Kinzua and Ali Clark took the penalty kick that passed through the player wall in a seam for a 2-0 Clarion lead at the half. During the second half Lerch was unleashed from the goal and scored on a crossing feed from Womeldorf to make the score 3-0. While Lerch was out of goal briefly defender Miller substituted and saved 4 goals. Lerch then went back in and was peppered by Kinzua making the score 3-1. Kinzua then made it interesting and scored again making it 3-2. Finally the whistle was blown and the season was over with a win.
A big congratulation is given to coach Perry Boyden who made the team become a reality again this season. Dealt a short deck of cards with only 9 starters, Boyden performed a masterful job of juggling girls from offense to defense, switching as the girls tired in the heat and ended the season with a .500 record. The optimism and support from the Striker organization, the parents and the players permeated throughout the season and helped the girls achieve the goals they had set at the beginning of the season.
(Congratulations on a fine season CRVS Girls U12 Team!!!!)