CLARION, Pa. - With a new coach, a new pitch and seven new freshman on the roster the Clarion Golden Eagles did not fail Thursday night defeating the Bloomsburg Huskies 1-0 at Memorial Stadium.

It was out with the new and in with the old though as the Golden Eagles grabbed the victory behind the leadership of seniors Laura Saussol and Katie Chambers.

Saussol finished the game with eight saves and her first shutout of the season. Chambers led the team with four shots and the lone goal in the game. 

This is the first time in school history the women's soccer team defeated Bloomsburg. Going into the match the team was previously 0-8-1 all-time against the Huskies, their only draw coming in 2007.

After the match, head coach Sean Esterhuizen had only praises for his girls.

"[Saussol] was perfect, she did everything right. She did her job very well. There was no hesitancy, she really commanded it like an experienced goalie. [Chambers] is a big target and it's hard to defend someone who's big and strong late in the game. I said to [Chambers] you're going to play 12 minutes, come out, and I'll put you in towards the end."

"I just wanted to get to the ball as fast as I can," said Katie Chambers on her goal. "I know that I definitely had to step up my leadership and give it everything. [I wanted to] know that when I came off the field there would be no regrets."
 
Bloomsburg outplayed Clarion offensively for the majority of the game, as a team the Huskies finished with 18 shots and eight on goal. Ashley Sanchez led her team with five shots. Bloomsburg's goal keeper Daniel Fiorelli finished with six saves but was way out and misplayed the seventh Clarion shot on goal leading to the score.

Clarion returns to the pitch at 5 p.m. Saturday as it travels to face its former head coach Rob Eaton on the campus of Lock Haven University.
 
By Jason C. Croft