CLARION, Pa. – The most recent United Soccer Coaches’ Association (USCAA) regional rankings were released on Tuesday, with the Clarion Golden Eagles earning a No. 10 ranking in the Atlantic Region.
(Photo courtesy of Clarion University Athletics)
It is believed to be the first time the Golden Eagles have ever been ranked regionally.
The Golden Eagles are one of eight teams ranked in the top-10 in the Atlantic Region, joining Kutztown, Gannon, East Stroudsburg, West Chester, Slippery Rock, Seton Hill and Bloomsburg. Clarion will face one of those teams this weekend when they travel to take on Kutztown on Sunday.
Clarion has thus far compiled a 6-4-2 overall record, tying the program record for wins and marking the latest into a season the team has been over .500. The Golden Eagles’ 5-3-2 PSAC record already represents a new program record for conference victories.
LATE EDINBORO GOAL FORGES TIE WITH CLARION
CLARION, Pa — Edinboro got a late goal from Morgan Hamker in the 85th minute to tie the game at 1-1, and that’s how it would eventually end as Clarion and Edinboro played to a 1-1 double-overtime draw, Wednesday night from Memorial Stadium.
Each team earns a point in the standings and Clarion moves to 6-4-3 overall and 5-3-3 in the PSAC while Edinboro goes to 4-4-3, 3-4-3 in the PSAC.
Fresh off the program’s first-ever top 10 regional ranking, the Clarion Golden Eagles got on the board first when senior McKenzie Sheesley ripped a shot from outside the box beating Edinboro goalkeeper Sarah Baskey to the top left corner. It was Sheesley’s third of the season, tying her with teammate Aaliyah Odom for tops on the team.
The Golden Eagles defensive unit was again superb, highlighted by a first-half save by senior Jess Kenny, who sacrificed her body to save a goal off an Edinboro corner kick.
Clarion goalkeeper Krista Mosi flashed some heroics of her own with a great leaping save off a shot from the top of the box midway through the second half.
Edinboro’s attack was consistent throughout the night, putting pressure on a solid Golden Eagles defense. The Fighting Scots finally broke through with Hamker’s equalizer, sending Clarion to their league-leading 6th overtime game already this season.
Coach Esterhuizen’s squad will now turn their attention to the nation’s number one ranked team, Kutztown University, as Clarion will travel across the state of Pennsylvania for a 12 p.m. contest on Sunday, Oct. 8.
