WARREN, Pa. – On Sunday September 14th, Clarion River Valley Strikers (CRVS) U-12 Green Team competed against Kinzua Soccer in Warren.The chill in the air playing soccer in the headquarters of the Allegheny National Forest against the vaunted Kiehl Kinzua squad would induce trepidation in most soccer teams. Not Coach Laura Domena’s U12 Green team. Balanced between boys and girls representing three different Clarion County schools, this bunch was meant to compete in any weather and any conditions.
Domena’s team won 4-2 against Kinzua, a team known for left side domination and perfection of corner kicks coupled with an onslaught of goal scoring headers. The scoring started by Clarion’s relentless forward Koby Buzard during the first half with the assists going to swift forward Austin Coull and Nate Megnin. As the Kinzua offense attempted to cross centerfield, midfielders Evelyn Lerch, Korrin Burns and Ryker Bingham helped botch any attempt to drive into the Clarion zone.
Austin Coull Diisrupts a Kinzua corner kick.
Towering goalie Donnie Cunningham made 5 saves against the speedy Kinzua forwards. Beau Verdill found the back of the Kinzua net once again assisted by Austin Coull and Cami Wolmodorf before the half ended. As the whistle blew at the half, Clarion was ahead 2-0.
As the second half began, the Coull-Verdill combination found the magic again. Beau Verdill scored with a sliding shot against a defenseless Kinzua goalie. But Kinzua answered with one of their patented corner kick headers past Cunningham to narrow the lead to 3-1.
Jenna Miller frustrates-Kinzuas offense with another play breakup.
As the half progressed, Kinzua created a momentum shift against Clarion and scored another goal from the 18 foot line on a penalty shot. With the score 3-2 and Kinzua breathing down the necks of the green-clad Clarion Strikers, Domena’s defense dug in. Center defender Jenna Miller was unyielding, time and time again stealing the ball from oncoming Kinzua forwards.
Defenders Owen Kerle and Riley Burford on the flanks stopped numerous shots on goal by taking away Kinzua firepower. Goalie Cunningham had to make only five more saves during the second half as Miller repetitively stole the ball frustrating the Kinzua forwards and coaching staff.
Before the end of the game, an insurance goal was added as Austin Coull found a wide open Beau Verdill making the final goal ending the game at 4-2.
Owen Kerle and Beau Verdill celebrate after the 4th Clarion goal.
With the U12 Green team keeping a great squad like Kinzua honest, Domena seems to have found the ingredients to a complex concoction of skilled offense and dominating defense. Thanks to adjustments on the fly to deploying fast fullback Owen Kerle neutralizing Kinzua’s skilled left side scoring specialist this team is fast becoming a force to be reckoned with in the competitive PA West Soccer League.
CRVS can be found next Sunday afternoon defending home turf at the Clarion County Park against Mercer.
