Dynamos stymie Gremlins
CLARION — Both the Karns City and Springdale girls soccer teams feature balanced scoring attacks.
But only the Dynamos were able to display that ability Tuesday night.
Three different players scored for Springdale (19-3-1) in a 3-0 win over the Gremlins in a PIAA Class AA first round playoff at Clarion University's Memorial Stadium.
"Springdale is a great team," said Gremlins coach Lisa Castiglione. "They were tactically amazing all over the field."
Karns City had several good scoring opportunities in the first 10 minutes of the game, but was unable to capitalize.
Just 1 minute and 14 seconds after its top scorer, Brittany Loveland, left the game with a leg injury, Springdale scored on a goal by Cayley Perrett with 25:56 left in the opening half.
Perrett was able to get behind the Karns City defense and received a pinpoint pass almost simultaneously before putting the ball past Gremlins goalkeeper Alaina Burns.
Less than eight minutes later, Laura Gajdosik scored in much the same manner for a 2-0 edge.
Loveland entered the game as her team's top scorer with 35 goals, but the Dynamos had scored 82 goals in their previous 22 games.
"We have a lot of depth," said Springdale coach Jerry Concannon. "We've got players who can step right in and do the job. That bodes well for the future."
The Gremlins (16-6) tallied three shots on goal in the game, two of them coming in the first half.
But one opportunity ended with no shot.
Karns City's Millie McKaine charged after the ball, which was rolling toward the net just feet in front of Springdale goalkeeper Sabrina Adams.
Adams won the battle to the ball and the Gremlins were turned away with less than six minutes left in the first half.
KC then received two corner kicks moments later, but the Dynamos cleared both threats without the Gremlins putting a shot on goal.
"We gave it our all," said Castiglione. "Sometimes, the ball just doesn't cross the line."
Loveland, who returned late in the first half, scored the Dynamos' final goal with 7:25 gone in the second half.
Burns finished the game with nine saves in net for the Gremlins.
"This is an amazing group of girls," Castiglione said of her team. "We didn't have any individual stars. This group is the epitome of a true team."
