Clearfield's Lisa Bumbarger takes a free kick during the Lady Bisons' game with Karns City Saturday at the Bison Sports Complex. Bumbarger had the lone Lady Bison goal in Clearfield's 3-1 loss to the Lady Gremlins. (Photo by Rich Murawski)

But a couple of free kicks changed the complexion of the game, leading the visiting Lady Gremlins to a 3-1 win on an emotional day for the Lady Bisons.

Prior to the contest, the Lady Bisons held a memorial service for 2007 teammate Leanna Shugarts, who tragically lost her life in an automobile accident in May. Their fallen teammate was obviously on the Lady Bisons' minds as they came out and played an intense brand of soccer.

"I think the girls wanted to do it for Leanna," Clearfield head coach Jen Wright said. "They wanted this game for her and her family. The girls were gunning for it. They wanted it. And the girls never backed down or stopped playing."

The Lady Bisons dedicated a plaque and planted a tree in memory of Leanna.

"We had a lot of former players that came back as well as a lot of parents and some faculty here (for the service)," Wright said. "It was really nice to have such a crowd. It was touching and emotional. And we'll have a tree now that will always remind us of Leanna."

The first half of play was contested in the midfield, as neither team was able to get many quality scoring chances early. Karns City did gain possession at the outset and fired a couple shots at Lady Bison keeper Brandie Centi before Clearfield settled in and took the momentum. Centi made seven saves in the game.

"I think they had control of the game the first few minutes, and from there we controlled a good part of the game," Wright said. "And, at times, it was going back and forth."

The first half ended with no scoring as the teams combined for only nine shots.

In the second half, both teams got a little more aggressive in their efforts for a goal, and that led to a flurry of goals a little past the midpoint of the half.

Karns City took advantage of a foul called just inside the Lady Bison box, as the Lady Gremlins were awarded a penalty shot, which Cristen Futcher made, beating Centi to her right at 63:58 for the game's first score.

"When you get a penalty kick call when it's right on the edge of the box and it's a push, which has been going on the entire game, that's rough," Wright said. "That takes the wind out of your sails, especially when the score is 0-0. That can change the momentum of the game, and you hate to see that happen on a call."

But the Lady Bisons were not down for long as they worked the ball into the Karns City end of the field and were awarded a direct kick about five yards outside the goal box. Lisa Bumbarger took the shot for Clearfield, booting the ball over Lady Gremlin keeper Alaina Burns' head. The ball hit the crossbar and ricocheted straight down, crossing the goal line at 65:52 to knot the game and give Clearfield a boost.

"That was nice to see," Wright said. "We had the same type of thing happen at Brookville, but we had the goal called back because it was an indirect kick and nobody touched it before it went it. This one was direct. It was a great hit and a great shot by Lisa."

Unfortunately for Clearfield, the momentum swing was short-lived as the Lady Gremlins responded less than 80 seconds later.

Karns City was given an indirect kick on the right wing, and Futcher was at the right place at the right time to clean up a loose ball in front of Clearfield's goal.

"Unfortunately, they got a free kick down in the corner, and the ball was bouncing around in the box," Wright said. "They got a toe on it, and it found the back of the net. What can you say about that?"

Mille McKain added an insurance goal for Karns City at 73:28 when she got loose in the Lady Bison box after taking a pass from Brooke Miller. McKain was able to beat a Lady Bison defender to the ball and slide it by Centi, who had come off her line to play the pass.

"There was just a little miscommunication," Wright said. "The ball went one way and Brandie thought it was going in the opposite direction. She got pulled off her line."

Despite the loss, Wright was thrilled with her squad's effort.

"The girls played with a lot of intensity," she said. "Lisa had a tremendous game in the back on defense. Nichole Powers and Abby Fishbone had awesome games inside. Brooke (Mohney) was working really hard up top, and I thought Katlyn Reddinger was phenomenal on the outside for us. She showed no fear, even with her eye and all. She didn't back away.

Reddinger was playing with black eye and bandaged forehead after taking a violent hit in the Lady Bisons' last game with Brookville.

"(Emily) Barger, (Candice) Morgan and Janell Zalno did well getting the ball forward and down the line to our outside mids," Wright continued. "And Kristen (Butler) and Julia (Ammerman) did a good job getting involved. (B.J.)Bowman had a couple near opportunities, as did Brooke. We just couldn't find the back of the net. That seems to be the story of our season right now. But I think the girls played awesome."

With the loss, Clearfield fell to 6-9 on the season. The Lady Bisons play host to State College on Tuesday.

NOTE: Clearfield's theme for the 2008 season is "Get Your Game On" as a tribute to Leanna Shugarts, who was an athlete as well as an avid hunter. As stated in the program for the memorial service, "Leanna was either getting her game on, on the soccer field, the field of life or in the woods and fields during hunting season. Leanna was a very passionate and intense person who had a big heart, a passion for life and lived each day to the fullest."

Karns City 3, Clearfield 1
Scoring Summary
Second Half
1, Cristen Futcher, KC, (penalty kick), 63:58.
2. Lisa Bumbarger, C, (direct kick), 65:52.
3. Futcher, KC, (Samantha Ryan), 67:10.
4. Millie McKain, KC, (Brooke Miller), 73:28.

Shots: Karns City 13, Clearfield 12.
Saves: Karns City (Alaina Burns) 7, Clearfield (Brandie Centi) 7
Corner kicks: Karns City 1, Clearfield 2.