Clarion Limestone Lions Soccer Hosts DuBois Central Catholic, Records Second Season Shutout

Photo by Matt Lerch – Carter Brown with a header against the Cardinals

The Clarion-Limestone Lions boys soccer team hosted Dubois Central Catholic on Clarion Area’s field for their home opener, on Thursday (August 31st). The Lions, coached by Don Montgomery, recorded their second shutout in as many games, winning 6-0.

With perfect temperatures and a clear sky, the Lions were happy to have a cooler game than their first game two days ago. The Lions began their scoring campaign in the first seven minutes of play, with forward Dany Schweitzer making a quarter field pass to outside midfielder Wyatt Boyden who beat a defender and juked the goalie affording himself a walk-in goal. But DCC wasn’t just going to roll over, they immediately struck back with a fast break and a slider shot to goalie Isaac Lerch’s right, with Lerch having to make a diving hand save.

On a counter attack, center midfielder Thomas Uckert kicked a lob up for attacking midfielder Brady Pierce, who’s header was stopped by the Cardinals’ goalie. Schweitzer, who relentlessly hustled all night long, participated with center midfielder Brenden Bettwy on a give-and-go only to be stopped by the DCC defense.

On a penalty against DCC, Uckert shot from just outside the 18 yard box over the goal crossbar, just missing the Lions’ second goal. That second goal would come from a pinball in the Cardinals end, when Uckert shot and the rebound came to Schweitzer who kicked to Boyden and back to Uckert for the second goal of the night.

Outside midfielder Layton Dunn got in on the action with a feed to Uckert who found an advancing Bettwy, who scored for a 3-0 lead only a minute after the second goal.

Lerch then had to make another stop to keep the shut out alive.

Uckert was then at midfield, when he made another long pass to Boyden towards the right corner with Boyden kicking backwards across the goalmouth to Martin Ormeno who scored making the score 4-0 with 3 minutes left in the half. Reminiscent of the first Lions game, Uckert had another déjà vu moment, this time on an assist, to Boyden in the right corner again with Boyden scoring making the lead going into the halftime break 5-0.

The second half was typified by relentless Lions scoring attacks against the Cardinals. But this time, the DCC goalie and defense were wound tighter than the first half. Boyden had another opportunity with a shot over the crossbar. Pierce had three hard shots that were stopped by the DCC goalie. Defender Jason Megnin passed to Ormeno who’s shot went flying over the goal. Uckert had several corner kicks that flew over awaiting midfielders, some with opportunities.

The DCC attackers took several shots on Lerch only to be denied with his defense continually giving him protection. But the peppering the Cardinal goal, finally yielded a result. On a field reversal after a shot on Lerch, Pierce took the ball down the field finding Dunn who shot and scored the only goal of the second half, making the final score at the buzzer 6-0.

Lerch, who usually splits goalie duties with Aiden Wilson, had 13 saves on the evening, owing the lack of severity of most of his saves to his vaunted starting defense of Megnin, Pierce, Carter Brown and Ky Clark.

(Way to go, Lions!!!! Thanks to Matt Lerch for his article and photo!!)