Steady play gives Clare soccer win over Ithaca

By BEN MURPHY

Cleaver Sports Writer

The solid early season play continued for the Clare soccer team on Monday, Aug. 24. The Pioneers were down at Ithaca, and they scored the first two goals of the game and used a steady defensive effort all evening to claim a 2-1 non-conference victory.

“The game was mostly positive,” head coach Jim Bond said. “I felt like we were in control for most of the game but let things get a little too close at the end. Still a lot of things to clean up, but I am happy with how we are playing at this point.”

The Pioneers got on the board early, as Sergio Jaimes booted the ball in about eight minutes into the game. The score remained 1-0 into the second half, when Jaimes netted his second goal, as he sent the ball by the goalie to make it 2-0.

With under two minutes remaining, during a scramble in front of the net, the Yellowjackets boomed the ball into the net for their lone score.

Clare finished off the win safely moments later though, and goalie Tlyer Thompson was in goal and tracked down eight saves.

Clare (2-0-1 overall) hosted Ogemaw Heights on Monday, they were down at Shepherd on Wednesday, and they have home contests with Standish-Sterling on Sept. 9 and Reed City on Sept. 10.