C-L Lions Boys Soccer Team Preserve 3-2 Win Over DuBois Area In Defensive Drama

(Images by Matt Lerch) Above: Isaac Lerch preventing a DuBois shot on goal

(By Matt Lerch)

The Clarion-Limestone Lions Boys Soccer team travelled to DuBois for a late 8:00PM start on Thursday October 6th on a crisp fall evening. Under the lights shining on the artificial turf field, the Lions entered the stadium with a much smaller soccer bench compared to the much larger DuBois team. But that didn’t deter Lions Head Coach Don Montgomery’s crew from considering the task at hand. Walk out with a win.

The beginning of the game was a chance for the DuBois Beavers to display their offensive prowess. Pressuring the Lions’ defense, the DuBois forwards forced senior goalie Tyler Bingham to make several saves, before the Lions fast break offense had a shot to deliver.

Senior striker Bailee Verdill received an assist from sophomore Thomas Uckert to take a surprisingly quick lead, 1-0.

The DuBois offense kept busy the Lions midfield and young starting defense consisting of Jason Megnin, Brady Pierce, Carter Brown, Quinn O’Neill and Isaac Lerch. Two quick goals on offensive scrambles showed a scoreboard of the Lions behind, 1-2.

Uckert found an opening in the defense when the DuBois goalie fouled him as he was taking a shot on goal. Uckert made a low left shot on the goalie on the penalty kick to even the game up 2-2 at the half. It was evident at this point that this was a defensive game the Lions had to preserve.

The second half opened up with a hot DuBois offense. Once again the Lions defense and midfield was wound tight stopping the Beaver advances. Goalie Bingham made a miraculous kick save at the last second to save a go-ahead goal by DuBois.

Verdill subsequently stole a midfield ball from DuBois and fought off four defenders to shoot a lower right shot into the back of the net for the game winning goal.

But this was early in the second half.

The DuBois offense remained fiery and tested the C-L defense time and time again. Bingham came out to make another save with a rebound coming to the DuBois approaching midfielder. As the ball pinballed around the goal crease, Bingham quickly got back into the corner of the goal to make the second save and stop DuBois from tying the game. Defender Megnin made several spectacular saves as he covered the net while Bingham was on the ground after saves.

With less than 7 minutes left, the DuBois offense pressed again with the right wing taking a pass while onside with an apparent clear path to the goal. Lerch left his cover man sprinting back for the steal before the wing took the shot on Bingham at close range. The whistle then blew and the Lions celebrated a much deserved road win.

The Lions travel to Brockway on Tuesday October 11th with a 5:30PM start.

(Way to Go Lions!!!! Thanks to Matt Lerch for the article and pics!!)