Strikers Open Season In A Big Way, Wins In Three Divisions (09/17/15)

The Clarion River Valley Strikers Soccer Teams had a great opening day, with wins in three divisions. Following are summaries by Matt Lerch and Mindi Verdill

Clarion River Valley Strikers Under-12 Girls Win Season Opener against Shenango Valley

(By Matt Lerch)

The Clarion River Valley Strikers Girls U12 squad opened the soccer season with a win against a stacked Shenango Valley team in Hermitage Sunday, September 13. With the wind at their backs finishing on a high note in the spring, this crew was determined to walk away with more than a tie in Hermitage. The Strikers took a lead early in the game and won the soccer match convincingly 2-1.

(Photo by Matt Lerch) Clarion River Valley Strikers 2015 Girls 12-Under

(Photo by Matt Lerch) Clarion River Valley Strikers 2015 Girls 12-Under

Sunday was the first chilly day of late summer, with wind and a sprinkle of rain on the finely manicured fields of Shenango Valley Park. The scoring began early in the first half with center midfielder Korrin Burns advancing the ball through traffic to score unassisted with a rising shot right. Forward Joyce Kim and left midfielder Parker Boyden each took 2 shots on goal only to be stopped by the opposing goaltender.

For most of the first half the action was on the Shanango part of the field. Reagan Pack scored the second goal of the game with a perfect crossing pass from Burns. Shawna Pack kept the heat on Shenango Valley with two promising cross field switches that came up fruitless. The Clarion defense was wound tight as Livi Weckerly, Riley Burford, Anna Gribik and center defender Bailey Snowberger kept the Striker goalkeeper, Evelyn Lerch, having to stop only 4 shots on goal in the first half.

With a goalkeeper switch in the second half for both teams the momentum change was palpable as Shanango came out scoring early in the second half against goalkeeper Shawna Pack. With several alignment changes, Shenango Valley looked capable of tying the game soon. As the game began to open up, multiple scoring chances evolved on both sides. Pack was magnificent in goal stopping 7 more shots.

Lerch was placed in forward position working diligently with Reagan Pack, Burns, Boyden and Kim. Time and time again the Clarion offense showed promising signs of finding the back of the net again only to be met by the new goalkeeper at the top of the box.

As time expired, the girls realized what they had done on their first of three straight away games and they deservedly rejoiced. With only 2 substitutes versus 6 substitutes on the other bench, the Clarion U12 Girls once again proved their determination and moxie that has defined this group throughout their developing years.

The girls travel to Meadville next Sunday for a match of two unbeaten teams at 4PM.

 

Under-12 Coed Team Opens the Season with a Win!

(By Mindi Verdill)

The U12 Striker Team met up with Meadville on Sunday, September 13.

(Photo by Mindi Verdill) Chance Buzard

(Photo by Mindi Verdill) Chance Buzard

Meadville did not waste anytime by marching down the field to score the first goal of the game within the first few
minutes of play. It was quite a wake up call for the Strikers who were able to put to work some great passes and some great runs. Bailee Verdill was the first Striker to find the net to tie the game at 1-1

where it stayed until after the half. Goalie Tyler Bingham along with the strong defense of Kaleb Wolbert, Kaegan Phillips and Charlie Franchino were able to stop Meadville at just one goal before the half.

The Strikers continued to put together some great passing that Coach Laura has been working on with them. The veteran front line of Lexi Coull, Nate Megnin and Bailee Verdill continued to work the ball with new Strikers players Max Southworth, Brett English and Riley Milliron when a pass from Kaegan Phillips to Max Southworth to Bailee Verdill made it into the Meadville net to give the Strikers a 2-1 lead.

(Photo by Mindi Verdill) Owen Kerle, Beau Verdill, and Kobe Buzard

(Photo by Mindi Verdill) Owen Kerle, Beau Verdill, and Kobe Buzard

The next goal came off a pass from Bailee Verdill to Nate Megnin to make the score 3-1. Goal number four for the Striker team was off a pass from Nate Megnin to Bailee Verdill to give Verdill a hat trick. Verdill found the back of the net off a pass from Brett English to make the score 5-1.

MASC was able to work one in past goalie Tyler Bingham to end the game with a score of Strikers 5 Meadville 2.

Thanks to Coach Laura for all the passing practice! The team looked great!

The U12 team will meet up with Shenango Valley at home this Sunday.

 

U14 Strikers Team Opens the Season with a Win!

(By Mindi Verdill)

The U14 Strikers team met up with MSA on Sunday, September 13 for their first game of the fall
season. It was a chilly games for fans, but the weather didn’t have an effect on Coach Thomas’
team.

The Strikers started out strong with several shots on goal and heavy pressure on the MSA side of the field. It was a pass from Beau Verdill to Maria Bradley that went in first to make the score 1-0 Strikers. The next goal was scored when Ryker Bingham had a great back pass to Beau Verdill who was able to boot it in to make the score 2-0.

MSA continued to fight hard but Chance Buzard, Striker goalie, did a great job keeping MSA from scoring.

The Striker defenders: Jenna Miller, Lucas Baker, Wyatt Stemmell, Ali Clark and Lauren Troutman helped to keep the ball out of Striker territory. The front line for the Strikers: Austin Coull, Kobe Buzard, Owen Kerle, Ryker Bingham, Beau Verdill, Maria Bradley and Owen Condon, showed great maturity in their line formations and passes. They kept the pressure on the MSA defenders and goalie. There was a hand ball foul by MSA right before half time which allowed Beau Verdill to score from a free kick to make the score 3-1.

The second half of the game was full of action as both teams played some great soccer! It was the front line of Austin Coull, Beau Verdill and Owen Kerle that was able to score again for the Strikers to make the final score 4-1.

Thanks to Coach Thomas and Assistant Coach Tyler for a well played game!!

The U14 team travels to Kinzua next Sunday!