Lady Cat Soccer Roundup (09/16/17)

Week 1

The Clarion Area Lady Cat soccer team kicked off the 2017 season September 5th with a home match against reigning D9 class “A” champion Brockway.  The Lady Rovers showed why they won the district in 2016 playing a quick tempo game.  Their striker, Chanel Britton, notched a first half hat trick to give Brockway a 3-0 lead.  The Lady Cat defense, led by Rachel Grabiak and Gabby Weaver, regained their composure and limited the Lady Rover opportunities throughout the 2nd half.  Alish Nagy scored her first ever goal as a Lady Cat with a well placed shot from the left side of the field into the top right corner of the goal.  Final score Broackway 4, Clarion 1.

The following evening Clarion hosted yet another D9 reigning champion in the Karns City Lady Gremlins, “AA” champs from 2016.  The Lady Cat squad competed hard against a very talented Karns City team, and found themselves down 1-0 at the half.  Midway through the 2nd half the effects of back to back games started showing in the Lady Cat squad.  Karns City took advantage of this opportunity and ended up with a 7-0 win at the final whistle.

Friday, September  8th the Ladycats went on the road for the first time this season with a match at St. Marys.  The Lady Dutch played a very fast game on their home field and took early advantage of an injury depleted Lady Cat squad.  Clarion fought hard throughout the game and started making some strides offensively late in the 2nd half, but their effort fell well short.  St. Marys 7 Clarion 0.

Week 2

On Tuesday evening the Clarion Lady Cats hosted the Forest Area Lady Fires.  Both teams played a very physical, tightly contested defensive match.  Clarion’s co-captain Natalie Glenn finally broke the deadlock with a solid strike over the head of the Forest Area goalkeeper.  Wendy Beveridge earned her first shutout of the season, which included a penalty shot save.  By games end, and several injuries later, the Lady Cats had earned their first victory of the season.

Thursday evening, September 14th, the Lady Cats headed to Keystone for a matchup with the Lady Panthers.  Freshmen Maria Bradley and Nellie Hannold made their first starts as Ladycats.  Ten minutes into the game Clarion’s Megan Stahlman scored the first her two goals on the night.  Natalie Glenn scored her second goal in as many games with a rocket of a shot from 40 yards out.  Wendy Beverige added a 4th goal late off an assist from Megan Stahlman to secure a 4-0 win for the Lady Cats.  Wendy Beveridge and Cait Murtha both played in goal, their combined efforts earned the team a 2nd consecutive shutout.  The Ladycat defense of Jenna Miller, Lindsey Kemmer, Gabby Weaver, and Rachel Grabiak put forth an outstanding 80 minute effort, their best performance of this young season.

(Thanks to Coach Schonbachler for this article. Keep up the hard work, Lady Cats!!!!)