Clarion River Valley Strikers U12 Girls Win, Lerch Performs Repeat Hat Trick (05/22/16)
(By Matt Lerch)
The Clarion River Valley Strikers U12 Girls traveled for a rematch at Shenango Valley attempting to make it a second win against Shenango. Working the day in the warm sun without forward Gia Babington and midfielder Korrin Burns would make it difficult with only one on the bench and no supportive reinforcements from the other Strikers squads. The team was ready to make the magic happen again, understanding their second place position in the league needed to be solidified today (Sunday, May 22nd).
(Photos by Matt Lerch) Evelyn Lerch
Coach Kevin Griffin had the girls line up in a different formation today, approaching the strategy differently from the previous Sunday. Starting with Shawna Pack in goal, Pack added a goalie assist by passing to Evelyn Lerch, who scored the give and go goal from Joyce Kim. The Strikers squad quickly found themselves in trouble, as the normally staunch defense led by Riley Burford was unable to clear and Shanango Valley tied the score 1-1. Defender Anna Gribik joined in the assist action by passing to Lerch for her second goal of the day.
Reagan Pack
Reagan Pack was on fire all day, shooting a beautiful left foot missile that ricocheted off of the top cross bar.
Shenango desperately tried to get back into the game as their goalie boomed goalie kicks deep into Striker territory time and time again. Goalie Pack had two tremendous saves, back to back, from deflections off of Shenango forwards from their goalie. But Pack said “No” and kept the Shenango offense guessing.
Taylor Allston
Right wing Taylor Allston worked the sidelines to perfection, keeping the Shenango defense off balance all day. Allston got her first of three assists on a cross to Reagan Pack for her first score of the day. Allston then worked deep in the Striker end finding Joyce Kim who advanced the ball up field finding Lerch who scored her hat trick goal.
Lerch was then placed in goal at half time with Shawna Pack moving up to defense to strengthen the shut down defense with emphasis. Numerous runs at the Shenango goal came from Liv Weckerly who shot on goal three times, one called back on an off-sides. Parker Boyden attempted a shot that found the grasp of Shenango’s stout goalie. Allston got her third assist when she passed to Reagan Pack who shot top left shelf, scoring her second of the day.
The Strikers won the game 5-1 with the bumps and bruises to prove it.
At the conclusion of the game, the girls found themselves with their record at 5-2 with only Grove City left on the schedule. Their game will be at home June 5th at the Clarion County Park.
(Thanks to Matt Lerch for this article and photos. Good Going, Strikers!!!!)