(Photo: Cami Wolmodorf splits the Millcreek defense)

The highly competitive PA West Soccer League has 11 teams competing for the honor of western Pennsylvania dominance. Domena’s team is at the top of the District 7 Lake Division.

The Strikers’ multi-faceted offense started the scoring early in the first half with Austin Coull and Koby Buzard assisting Beau Verdill’s goal with a flurry of activity in front of the net. Within a minute, Koby Buzard crossed a pass in from of the net to Cami Wolmodorf adding the second score. In relentless pressure, Austin Coull decided to turn on the after burners and jet down the field in a solo effort scoring over the Oil Region goaltender.

The Strikers are not only an offensive firepower team. The Strikers offense sells the tickets, and the Strikers defense wins the games. The first half featured a line of Owen Kerle, Jenna Miller, and Evelyn Lerch defending goaltender Don Cunningham. With the defense strung tight, Cunningham had to only save 4 shots on goal in the first half.

But this game was on Oil Region Soccer turf, and the second half the home squad awakened. With Riley Burford playing midfielder for the Strikers, many attempts by Oil Region were stopped midfield. Lerch delivered the mail to Verdill for the fourth Striker goal. Oil Region was then able to sneak a ball past Cunningham for their first goal. With strong support from midfielders Nate Megnin and Ryker Bingham, defender Owen Kerle deep in his own end stopped a drive by Oil Region with an intercepted pass. Kerle then saw a clearing down the right side and took advantage of this miscue. As he swept down the sideline evading 2 Oil Region midfielders, Kerle lifted a rising bullet over the Oil Region goaltender’s head for a highlight goal unassisted. Korrin Burns playing midfielder tried to increase the score by sliding a goal right of the goaltender, only to have that goal called back on an offside call. Goaltender Cunningham saved five more shots in the second half.

Time and time again, Cami Wolmodorf and Evelyn Lerch made multiple attempts on various combinations perplexing the goalie only to be denied on offside calls and shots wide. Finally Lerch, not to be denied, split the Oil Region defense only to meet the goaltender head on for the ball. After the collision and the ball squirting free behind the goaltender, Lerch beat the returning fullback to the ball for the score. Owen Kerle then found himself up front playing midfielder shooting towards the goal with an astounding redirect by Beau Verdill for the Strikers’ seventh goal. With time about to expire, Oil Region scored over back up goaltender Austin Coull’s head for their second and last score.

As the fall Clarion River Valley Striker season continues, there are only three games left. The Strikers normally have eight games, but because there are 11 teams, the Strikers receive a bye for their last game. Hence, Coach Laura Domena’s Strikers already have a winning season under their belt. Next Sunday the Strikers defend home turf against Grove City’s Irani Soccer Club at Clarion County Park.