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Clearfield girls soccer plays to double-overtime tie with DuBois
Tuesday, October 06, 2009
By Rich Murawski Assistant Sports Editor
HYDE - Both teams had good scoring opportunities and both teams enjoyed extended periods where they controlled the run of play. But in the end, neither team could break through on the scoreboard as host Clearfield ran to a 0-0, double-overtime tie with DuBois Monday afternoon at the Bison Sports Complex.
"We got some lucky breaks, they got some lucky breaks, and it was just a game where nobody could find a way to put the ball in the back of the net when they had an opportunity," Clearfield head coach Jen Wright said.
"There were some times where we were really sparked and played with a lot of intensity and a lot of composure and confidence, and there were times we dropped that a bit. But we just have to keep working hard and keep plugging away as a team and a unit."
Perhaps no opportunity was as pronounced as the one DuBois had in the second overtime when striker Alyssa Sciremammano rung a shot off the crossbar after making a run through an open space in the Clearfield defense.
"She has speed, and she's good with the ball at her feet," Wright said. When she had that space open, I was like, ‘oh boy.' But she hit the crossbar, and everyone followed their marks and got the ball out, which didn't allow them to get a rebound. It was a great hustle back by everyone."
That shot by Sciremammano was one of just three the dangerous Lady Beaver had after halftime as Clearfield made sure to pressure her.
"She has a lot of speed, so we put one of our fastest players - Emily Barger - on her," Wright said.
"I thought that worked out well for us. It took away their scoring opportunities because it seems they like to play the ball to her. Taking her out of the game helped us, of course."
DuBois actually had another shot slam off the crossbar moments after the Sciremammano shot.
But while the Lady Beavers got off more shots in the second overtime, it was Clearfield, which made all the noise in the first 10 minutes of extra play.
Lady Bison Taylor Dixon was key in that time, getting a pair of shots off against DuBois keeper Casey Wilcox. One of Dixon's shots was a rebound attempt after Wilcox had knocked the ball away after a hard blast off the foot of Brooke Mohney.
"Taylor is a freshman, and she's stepping up," Wright said. "I think she is getting more comfortable on varsity. She had some really nice shots. She pressured the keeper into making a couple nice saves."
DuBois had more possession than the Lady Bisons in the first half, and had several scoring chances turned away by Clearfield keeper Brandie Centi, who made 15 stops in the day.
"It was another good game for Brandie," Wright said. "She was solid coming off her line, helping out and talking to the players behind the ball. And she made some key saves, some diving saves and some others where she came out and cut down the angle."
DuBois held a 9-4 advantage in shots in the first half and took four corner kicks, while Clearfield didn't have one corner in the first 40 minutes.
But the run of play changed in the second half with Clearfield getting to more 50/50 balls and connecting on more passes.
The Lady Bisons had several opportunities in the half with Mohney, B.J. Bowman, Nichole Powers and Lisa Bumbarger each registering strong shots.
Bowman and Bumbarger nearly connected for a goal late in the half when Bowman sent a hard shot toward Wilcox, who knocked it away and to her left.
Bumbarger was there to redirect the rebound, but her shot was inches wide.
"From start to finish, the girls played well," Wright said. "We came out a little flat in the first half, but we re-adjusted a few things and picked it up in the second half.
"We got an opportunity up top with Lisa, but she couldn't quite get it in the back of the net."
Bumbarger was one of several Lady Bisons who played multiple positions for Clearfield, which was playing a little short-handed.
Bumbarger spent time at sweeper, striker and wing. Barger played defensive spots, wing and inside mid and Mohney played stopper, midfield and wing.
"Unfortunately we had some players injured as well as some out with illnesses, so we had to move people around," Wright said.
"Brooke played a lot of different positions, Lisa and Emily played in different spots. I think all three of them adjusted to the positions they were asked to play, and when they were put in those spots they contributed."
DuBois had 20 shots, while Clearfield took 14. Both teams had five corner kicks. Sciremammano led DuBois in shots with nine - six coming in the first half.
Mohney and Bowman each had three shots for Clearfield, which dipped to 3-6-3 on the season.
The Lady Bisons travel to Punxsutawney on Wednesday. Clearfield 0, DuBois 0, 2OT
Shots: DuBois 20, Clearfield 14.
Saves: DuBois (Casey Wilcox) 13, Clearfield (Brandie Centi) 15.
Corner kicks: DuBois 5, Clearfield 5.
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