CLARION, Pa. – The Clarion women's soccer team played suffocating defense for 90 minutes in earning their first win of the year, as the Golden Eagles defeated Pitt-Johnstown 2-0 at Memorial Stadium on Wednesday night.  Clarion (1-2-0) will be back at home this weekend to host California (Pa.) in another PSAC West clash.
 
Marina Kelly potted the game-winner for her second goal in as many games, scoring late in the first half to give the Golden Eagles the only goal they would need on the night.  She assisted on the second goal as well, with Alissa Spencer heading in her first goal of the season in the 55th minute.
 
The defense and goalkeeping efforts were second to none, with Krista Mosi earning the win.  Fellow netminder Brigid Stermel entered in the second half and also produced a zero.  The Clarion keepers combined for six saves and the shutout as the defense kept the Lady Cats well at arms' length.
 
"I was very pleased with how our squad played," head coach Sean Esterhuizen said.  "They were very compact all day and worked very hard to get and stay goalside of the ball.  We need this kind of consistency for 90 minutes every game."
 
Kelly struck in the 39th minute, taking advantage of an aggressive play by Lady Cat goalkeeper Leigh Appolonia.  Charlotte Allen lobbed the ball ahead to Kelly, who was able to chop a shot over Appolonia, who charged hard out of the net to cut off the shot attempt.  The ball bounced through the box and into the right corner to give Clarion a 1-0 lead for the second straight game.
 
Pitt-Johnstown got a shot on net early in the second half but wouldn't add another until the 89th minute as the Golden Eagle defense continued to stand tall.  Kelly and Spencer provided the insurance goal on a corner kick, with Spencer rising above the rest to head in her first goal of the season off Kelly's boot.