Close matches for the CL boys

(Above) Clear Lake’s Tanner Berger (4) and GHV’s Nick Joynt (10) give “using your head” a whole new meaning.  -Reporter photo by Chris Barragy

It was a busy week for the Clear Lake boys soccer team.  The Lions were involved in three close matches.  They now stand at 8-7 heading into the final stretch of the season.

CL 3, GHV 2

On Tuesday, May 10, the Lions traveled to Garner.  The Cardinals came out ready to play, scoring goals in the 13th and 20th minutes of the first half.

“We didn’t get ourselves on the board until the 38th minute when Jarod Anderson converted a penalty kick,” said Coach Matt Anderson.  “The half time score was 2-1.”

In the 58th minute Anderson got a through ball to Tanner Berger.  Berger finished the attack to get the match back to even.  The match remained 2-2 until the 77th minute of the contest when Anderson converted the game winning goal.

“I was happy with our resolve and determination in the contest.  Garner took it to us for much of this contest and the boys kept fighting,” said Coach Anderson.

Webster City 2, CL 0

Thursday, May 12, the Lions were in Webster City.  The teams played an even first half, with both exchanging shots on goal and neither team converting.

In the second half Webster City collected up a deflected ball in front to of the Lions’ net and recorded the first goal of the contest.  Eleven-minutes later Webster City was awarded a penalty kick which they converted for a second goal.

“We lost this match in :16 seconds of inconsistent play,” said Coach Anderson.  “Webster City’s record is 15-1 this season, so there was no surprises as to their level of play.  We failed to execute on some pretty basic soccer fundamentals which you can not do against good competition.”

CL 2, Waterloo Columbus 1

The Lions were home Saturday, May 14, against Waterloo Columbus.  Jarod Anderson got the home team scoring off a Tanner Berger assist.  The Lions took a 1-0 lead into the half.

It took Waterloo Columbus all of two-minutes to bring the match back to even with a goal in  the 42nd minute.  Clear Lake regained the lead and held on for the win in the 61st minute when Berger finished the game winning goal of an Anderson assist.

“We played Waterloo Columbus a week prior and they didn’t seem focused on winning that first match.  They certainly came into this one ready to go and intent on winning.  It took us a while to get our jerseys and shorts on, but once we did it was a really well played match by two good teams,” said Anderson.