Clarion River Valley Strikers U12 Girls Win, Go 2-0, Burns And Lerch Chalk Up Hat Tricks (04/30/16)

(By Matt Lerch)
The Clarion River Valley Strikers U12 Girls won their second game of season bringing their record to 2-0. The girls traveled to Grove City with sunny skies and perfect temperatures and defeated the competition 8-1. Coach Kevin Griffin was impressed with the team’s performance, especially after the Strikers started flat in the first half but showed resilience in the second half.

(Photo by Matt Lerch) Korrin Burns

The scoring began in the first half led by a charge of Gia Babington, playing right wing, who found Liv Weckerly open up front. Weckerly switched the ball to Korrin Burns who stood in the 6 yard box and punched in the ball for the first score. Right defender Shawna Pack took the ball up the sideline on a rush by the Striker offense and found Joyce Kim in the center who made the score 2-0. The Grove City offense showed some life, as they brought the ball down to the Strikers end, and through traffic, were able to kick a ball over the goalie’s head bringing the score to 2-1 Strikers.

Goalie Evelyn Lerch made 5 stops in the first half.

As the second half began, the goal scoring floodgates opened for the Strikers. Reagan Pack worked the left side of the offense furiously in the first half and didn’t stop in the second half. Pack found Lerch, now playing co-6 Midfielder with Burns, on the fly and Lerch scored her first goal of the day taking the ball at midfield and flying past the sole defender.

Lerch then found Burns open down the middle and Burns found the back of the net on a near side shot. Burns was first to score her hat trick goal, when she blasted a penalty kick up high over several players, finding the top right 90 of the goal. Center defender Riley Burford kept the defense tight all game with Parker Boyden stopping Grove City advances cold throughout the second half.

(Photo by Matt Lerch) Evelyn Lerch

Burns wasn’t done and added another assist on a corner kick with Lerch deflecting the ball to make the score 6-1. As defender Anna Gribik was brought up to play offense, Burns found Gribik open on the left side, and with Gribik’s speed, she split the defense for her score. Reagan Pack passed another ball to Liv Weckerly who side kicked the ball to Lerch for her hat trick goal to finish the scoring of the game. Second half netminder Shawna Pack kept the Strikers in the game by providing outstanding goaltending making 7 saves.

Coach Griffin noted on the win, that Grove City was certainly a commendable adversary and that his Strikers will see better and better competition through the Spring. Under his direction, he has given them confidence that they can win the division and to believe. The girls will play their first home game against Penncrest Maplewood tomorrow (Sunday, May 1st) at Clarion County Park at 1:30.

(Thanks to Matt Lerch for this article and photos. Nice Work, Strikers!!!!)