Clare soccer slips by Beaverton 1-0

By BEN MURPHY

Cleaver Sports Writer

A couple days after a tough road home loss to Bullock Creek, the Clare girls’ soccer team was looking for a quick bounce back. The Lady Pioneers were able to get that on Thursday, as they managed a slim 1-0 road Jack Pine Conference win at Beaverton, 1-0.

“The team really stepped up in this game after the tough Bullock Creek loss and everyone played their hearts out in this win,” head coach Jim Bond said.

The lone goal was scored 20 minutes into the game. Goalkeeper Kaitlin Zeilinger punted the ball beyond midfield and found Ivy Russell. Russell took the ball, dribbled by the last defender and blasted a shot out of reach of the Lady Beaver goaltender and into the net.

Beaverton did mount a pretty good offensive attack, but Zeilinger was able to get 16 saves in the game.

“Kaitlin had her best game of the season, so far, with 16 saves, including a save on a penalty kick,” Bond said.

On Tuesday, April 21, Clare lost a tough-to-swallow home JPC game with Bullock Creek, 3-2.

The Pioneers took a 2-0 lead in the first half, getting a goal from Russell with an assist by Morgan Kryzanowski. Russell scored again unassisted with about nine minutes to play in the half.

The Lady Lancers were able to score shortly after to make it 2-1, and they netted another one just before the half ended to make it 2-2 at the break.

It remained 2-2 until 1:46 to play, when Bullock Creek got a wide-open look in front of the net, sending the ball in for what turned into the game winner.

“Definitely a heartbreaking loss,” Bond said.

Zeilinger had seven saves in net.

Clare (2-5-2 overall, 2-5-1 JPC) was at Gladwin on Tuesday, they’ll be in Pinconning today (Thursday), they are scheduled to be in a tournament at Hart on Saturday and they make the trip up to Ogemaw Heights on Tuesday.