CRV Strikers U10 Boys’ Team Defeats Greenville, 9-1 (05/27/14)
(By Kelly Wyant-Todorov)
It was a warm, sunny Sunday (May 25th) afternoon in Greenville, when the Clarion River Valley Strikers U10 Boy’s team eagerly entered the field to play their 6th game of the spring soccer season.
(Photo by Kelly Wyant-Todorov)
CRVS and Greenville players converging on the ball (CRVS in green)
The match started with Nate Megnin (#64) and Curt Womeldorf (#15) playing forward, while Bailee Verdill (#61) filled the mid-field. The Strikers started off slow and after a solid push into the offensive zone, they soon found themselves backed into their own zone playing defense.
Nikolai Todorov (#13) and Kaleb Wolbert (#62) were assisting their goalie Tyler Bingham (#1) on defense, when Greenville found an opening and rolled one into the net, to be the first on the score board.
It was a disappointing goal against the Strikers, but it awoke the team. Coach Thomas got his team back on track and the Strikers settled into their cleats, cleared their heads and focused on positioning, passing and teamwork.
It was only moments later when the Strikers front line barreled through. Nate received Bailee’s pass and Nate’shot on goal found the back of the net to tie the score, 1-1.
Conner Albertine (#37) jumped on as forward while Nick Hull (#63) moved onto defense. The Strikers were holding the offensive zone and the Greenville goalie was getting hammered, but she was working hard and denied all goal attempts.
(Photo by Kelly Wyant-Todorov) CRVS player looking to kick the ball
The Strikers could feel the clock ticking down and kept the pressure on Greenville. With a steal from Kurt and a pass from Bailee, Kaleb found an opening and scored, 2-1.
The score did not reflect the action of game. Tyler was keeping the net empty, defense was keeping the zone clean and offense kept pushing towards the net. The game was getting tense and after several denied attempts and overshoots, Bailee got a ball through that found the back of net to up the score to 3-1.
The second half started with Nikolai and Conner playing forward, Nate on mid-field, Nick and Kaleb on defense, and with Tyler in the net. It wasn’t long after the whistle blew when Bailee scored his second goal of the game, 4-1.
Nikolai moved up to play mid-field with Nick and Conner on his wings, when a solid kick by Nikolai scored the 5th goal of the day, 5-1.
The Strikers were playing as a strong unit and although they could have communicated more, Coach Thomas was proud.
Greenville was now only playing defense, as they were not able to move out of their zone. Nick received a cross-pass, where his kick on goal reached the net to up the score, 6-1.
(Photo by Kelly Wyant-Todorov) Several CRVS players in on the action
Tyler had passed on his goalie pinnie to Kurt, and moved onto the field to play defense. With assistance from Nate, he broke through to score a goal, 7-1.
The game was coming to a close and Conner was trying hard, but couldn’t get one in the net. The Strikers were unstoppable as Kaleb and Bailee both scored again to bring the final score of the game to, 9-1.
The Strikers played a solid game and it was enjoyable to witness how Coach Thomas has helped the Strikers grow as a team. The CRVS U10 Boy’s team will have a competitive away game next Sunday against Erie. Go Strikers!
(Thanks to Kelly Wyant-Todorov for the article and photos. Good Job Strikers!!)