Boys soccer team wraps up regular season

The Clear Lake boys soccer team (6-10) put the finishing touches on its regular season and is looking to Sub-State competition beginning Thursday, May 20.  The Lions will take on Hampton-Dumont-CAL at 6:30 p.m. at Lions Field in their first post-season game.  The winner will advance to face the winner of the Waterloo Columbus versus Belmond-Klemme on May 24 in Cedar Falls.

Humboldt 7, CL 0

The Lions traveled to Humboldt Thursday, May 6, for a rematch.  They were looking to avenge a 6-2 loss from earlier in the season.  Despite playing well in the first half, Clear Lake gave up two quick goals in succession, but held together for the rest of the first half. 

“We regrouped at halftime and had a game plan coming into the second half to get back into the game, but couldn’t get much good possession against a good team,” said Coach Zach Hall.  

Humbolt was able to get a few more past in the second half and the game ended in a 7-0 Humboldt win.

Waverly Tournament

Clear Lake responded to the shutout loss by getting off to a good start in a tournament hosted by Waverly Saturday, May 8. The Lions finished fourth in the B bracket.

The day started with a win, as Clear Lake beat South Tama, 3-2.  The victory put Clear Lake into the winner bracket for the rest of the tournament. Andrew Korenberg and Noah Petersen scored in the first half to take a 2-1 lead. Tama scored quick in the start of the second half and the score was tied until there was nine-minutes left.  That’s when Korenberg played a cross into the box and Kinnick Clabaugh played a first touch to the back of the net for the game winner.

The second game was a pretty even contest against North Fayette Valley that saw goals exchanged in the first half.  Travaughn Luyobya scored for the Lions.  Clear Lake had the bulk of possessions and chances in the second half, having two shots go off the cross bar and only allowing one shot on goal, but North Fayette found the back of the net.  Regulation ended 1-1 and tournament format went straight to penalties, which North Fayette won, giving them the match by a 2-1 score.

The last match of the day pitted the Lions against Waterloo Columbus.  The Sailors posted a 7-0 win in the third place match. 

“We had a couple of sporadic chances at goal, but with the quality of soccer Columbus was playing, our fatigue, and the weather conditions it was hard for us to get any sustained offense,” said Coach Hall.

GHV 1, CL 0

The Lions had a rematch with Garner-Hayfield-Ventura Monday night, May 10.  The game was evenly matched throughout, with both teams having spells of good possession and chances at goal. 

“Our midfield worked hard all game with their possession and trying to find good chances at goal,” said Coach Hall.  “Our defense was strong in denying GHV a lot of good chances at goal, clearing their lines with good touches.”

The game went to two overtimes tied at 0-0.  It eventually ended on penalties, which were in GHV’s favor, 4-3.  GHV collected the 1-0 win.

CL 5, B-K 0

Travaughn Luyobya recorded a hat trick and led the Lions to a shutout victory over Belmond-Klemme Friday, May 14.

Clear Lake had good possession throughout most of the first half, with several good chances at goal, but the Lions lacked the final touch to put the ball in the back of the net.

Freshman Andrew Korenberg was able to break the 0-0 tie with a nice finish 18-minutes into the first half. Luyobya, a sophomore, followed up about two-minutes later with his first goal of the night to make it 2-0.  That’s how the two team went into halftime.

“We made some adjustments on our speed of play and pressure on the ball defensively for the second half and had better possession and opportunities in the second half,” said Coach Zach Hall.  

Luyobya scored four-minutes into the second and freshman Kinnick Clabaugh scored his first shortly after for a 4-0 lead. Luyobya finished off his hat trick with two-minutes left in the game for a 5-0 win.

Korenberg and Clabaugh finished with a goal and assist apiece and senior Noah Peterson added an assist, as well. 

Junior goal keeper Hunter Trenary had eight saves on the night, completing his first shutout of the season.

MC 3, CL 0

The Lions ended the regular season at Mason City Monday night, May 17.  The team was a bit out of step and was defeated, 3-0.

“We started slow and hesitant, not putting foot pressure on the ball and allowing Mason City time and space,” said Coach Hall.  This caused problems with us chasing the game and Mason City getting good possessions in our end.”

The Mohawks were able to convert several of those opportunities for a 3-0 halftime lead.

The second half was better, effort wise, according to the coach.  The Lions put good pressure on the ball and used quick play offensively for more looks at the goal. The Mohawk goal keeper had several good saves that kept the Lions off the scoreboard. 

Travaughn Luyobya had three shots on goal for Clear Lake.  Kinnick Clabaugh had two and Noah Petersen took one.  Goal keeper Hunter Trenary had five saves.