C-L Boys Soccer Team Goes 2-1 Last Week, Qualifies For Playoffs (10/20/15)

(By Coach Nicole Selker)

Clarion-Limestone 3 Redbank 2 (Overtime)
The Clarion-Limestone Lions started a busy 3 game week with one thing in mind, make play-offs. In order to make the play-offs for the first time in team history with a 500 record, the Lions would have to win 2 of their three games. They decided early on to focus on one game at a time. On Tuesday, October 13th, they took on the much improved Redbank Valley Bulldogs. They knew going in this would not be an easy game. Halfway through the first half, Javier Delgado started off the scoring for the Lions with Cam Craig assisting. Javier would go on to score yet again before the end of the half off another assist by Cam Craig. The Lions would hold the Bulldogs scoreless in the first. The story would be much different in the second half. The Bulldogs started the half strong and would go on to score two unanswered goals to tie the game. The Lions made some last minute pushes down the field, but were unable to score. The game would continue on into overtime with both teams evenly matched. The Lions knew they needed to score early to continue their play-off hopes. With three minutes into overtime, Donovan Montgomery would lead a surge downfield send a beautiful cross to Kyle Schonbachler for the game winning goal. This was Kyle’s first game back since suffering an ankle injury part way through the season. The duo helped keep the play-off dream alive. The Lions will face Fores Area on Thursday, October 15th.

Clarion-Limestone 4 Forest 3
After a tough fought close game Tuesday, the Lions faced Forest Area on Thursday, October 15th in the hopes of clinching play-offs. The night started off by honoring Senior Javier Delgado who also served as a captain for the game. The Lions came out looking extremely strong in the first half. They would manage 4 goals, 3 from Cam Craig and 1 from Javier Delgado. Forest would only be able to answer with one goal of their own. The second half however would belong to Forest. They would score two unanswered goals and would go on to provided excellent offensive pressure. The Lions remained solid and halted Forest’s scoring efforts to go on to win the match 4-3. The Lions will end the season with a 500 record and a trip to play-offs. Way to go Lions!

Karns City 12 Clarion-Limestone 1

The Lions end their regular season with a match chalk full of adversity. Not only would they face a power house in Karns City, but they would do it a man down. Due to a schedule conflict, the team was left with just 11 players. This would drop to 10 when Braden Peters was forced out of warm-ups with an ankle injury. The match was played in blustery conditions with mixes of snow and sunshine throughout. The Lions came out strong and worked hard to hold the Gremlins to 2-0 half-way through the half. Unfortunately, the Gremlins would gain their footing and go on to score 6 additional goals before the end of the half. The Lions refused to give in and spent the second half containing the Gremlins to just 4 goals. They also managed to get on the board with a goal by Jarod Simpson off an assist by Blake Phillips. The match would end with the Gremlins beating the Lions 12-1. The Lions look forward to spending the next week preparing for play-offs. Their first match has yet to be determined.

(Thanks to Coach Selker for this article. Way to go Lions!!!!)