(Photo: Autumn Rosenberg)
“After shutting out No. 6 East Stroudsburg in the second half Wednesday (a 3-0 East Stroudsburg win at Clarion), we brought the same tight defense to West Chester and played our best soccer of the season,” Clarion head coach Sean Esterhuizen said. “Our strategy was to mark very tightly in the midfield and double-team them on the wings. I thought, overall, our squad did an excellent job of implementing.”
After a scoreless first half, West Chester scored the game’s lone goal in the 65th minute when Dana Hart beat Clarion keeper Laura Saussol. It was the lone goal the senior keeper gave up on nine Golden Rams shots on goal.
Clarion’s offense was able to complete passes, 49 percent in the first half, a little less in the second half, according to Esterhuizen but the Golden Eagle offense only had one shot in the game, a shot on goal by Katie Chambers in the first half.
“When we won the ball, we played with composure,” Esterhuizen said. “We were able to complete 28 strings of three or more passes in the game to their 35.
“This tells me we have the foundation in place to be able to build on. Our young team is playing with confidence and poise.”
Clarion returns to action at 6 p.m. Tuesday when it hosts Kutztown.