Lions top CAL fall to Hudson

(Above) Clear Lake’s Spencer Orr works his way around a CAL defender in Monday night’s season opener.  -Reporter photos by Chris Barragy

The Clear Lake boys soccer team coasted in their opening match, but was given a reality check against one of the state’s top programs.

CL 8, CAL 0

The Clear Lake boys opened their season Monday, April 11, at home against CAL.  The Lions took a 4-0 advantage into halftime and concluded the contest with an 8-0 victory.

Parker Pitzen netted the first goal of the season in the 16th minute. That was followed three minutes later by another Lion goal this time put in by Tanner Berger.  Dylan Clapper scored in the 20th minute off an assist from Aaron Canchola, and Sam Pedalty finished the first half scoring with an assist by Dylan Schuchard.

The scoring resumed in the 52nd minute off a double assist from Pedalty to Jarod Anderson,  finished by Berger.

Zeke Branstad converted a goal in the 53rd minute and Rhys Glidden got into the scoring action in the 72nd minute off a Schuchard assist.

The final score of the night came in the 75th minute when Ben Finn made an assist to Schuchard, who converted the final goal of the contest.

Goal keepers  Kyle Willms and Bryce Schmalen recorded three saves and one save respectively.

“I was pleased with our overall effort.  Everyone was able to log minutes tonight and several players were able to contribute in the assists and scoring columns,” said Head Coach Matt Anderson.  “Torian Lee, a first year soccer player (junior), played really well and showed good control.  The defensive play was consistent and controlled possession well.  This was a good season opener for us.”

With their 1-0 record, the Lions were rated number 15 in Class 1A by the Iowa High School Soccer Coaches Association (IAHSSCA) in its weekly rankings issued April 12.

Hudson 4, CL 0

The Lions hit the road for the first road game of the season on Tuesday, April 12, traveling to Hudson, Iowa.

“We had plenty of advanced notice that this was an important game which we needed to be ready for a full 80 minutes of quality soccer.  Hudson (6-0) is undefeated and has yet to conceded a single goal this season,” said Coach Matt Anderson. “As it turns out, we just were not ready for this level of play.”

Hudson came into the match with four games played to the Lions’ one game.  The game time experience to Hudson’s credit was evident.  After the first half of play, with a stiff wind assisting in Hudson’s attack, the Pirates held a 3-0 lead.  The Lions stepped up in the second half and possession of the ball was much better than the first 40 minutes.

“We managed to make several quality attacks in the second half but failed to convert a goal,” said the coach.

The second half was scoreless soccer for 38 minutes before a penalty kick awarded to Hudson made the final score 4-0.

“This team is mentally tough, so I was not surprised by their response in the second half.  After playing a fairly ugly first half the boys accepted the coaches challenge at halftime.  We battled through and improved in the second half.  Hudson is a new game added to our schedule this year,” said Anderson. “They have a track record of being a quality program which is why we sought them out for an annual match.  They are also a larger school than us so we won’t see them come Regional time.   We took our medicine in this match,  we didn’t like it, and it certainly left a terrible taste in our mouth.  Hopefully it will help us become the contender we want to be at the end of the season.”

The road doesn’t get any easier for the Lions, as they were scheduled to travel to fourth ranked (2A) and undefeated Waverly-Shell Rock on Tuesday, April 19.  On Thursday, April 21, the Lions host number 14 (2A) Webster City, which is currently 5-1 for the season.