Clements’ goal lifts Christopher Dock over Lower Moreland
LOWER MORELAND >> Just 13 minutes remained in the game when Lower Moreland keeper Jessica Murawsky and Christopher Dock’s Niki Clements raced towards each other from opposite directions, in relentless pursuit of a long through ball by the Pioneers’ Maddie Swartley.
Murawsky showed plenty of hustle, but Clements got there first.
“All I could think was get it around the goalie,” the senior said.
Clements knocked the ball around the Lions’ keeper, then booted it into the empty net for the go-ahead goal in Dock’s 2-1 victory over Lower Moreland, as the Pioneers continue their perfect run through the Bicentennial Athletic League.
“We were pretty pumped before the game,” Clements said after her two-goal performance, which helped lift Dock’s overall record to 12-2 on the season. “I like the way we’re playing now — a lot. We were kind of a young team coming into the year, losing a lot of seniors, so I’m really happy with how it’s turning out.”
Clements gave Dock a 1-0 lead in the first half off an assist from McKenzie Swartley. The lead held until the Lions got some pressure going in the second half, ultimately tying the game with 28 minutes to go when Bridget Alexander scored on a header into the corner of the net.
Lower Moreland generated additional scoring chances for the remainder of the second half, but shot over and wide of the net on multiple occasions.
Dock hung in, and got its opportunity when Clements’ speed — and skill — enabled her to get to the long pass from Maddie Swartley.
“That’s composure,” Pioneer coach Ray Hess said. “We’ve been working with her on that — last year we worked with (then senior) Bailey (Kratz) on going around the keeper rather than just shooting it in.
“Niki got behind the defense a couple times, ‘Mack’ had a couple nice through balls, and it was a nice win for us. We probably didn’t play as well as we could of, but we got by.”
Jules Rotelle did a solid job marking Alexander, especially in the final minutes, and Dock’s collective effort on defense also allowed the Pioneers to keep another one of Lower Moreland’s skilled seniors, Erica Fleck, from converting.
Pioneer goalie Audrey Schweizerhof played well in the back while the Swartley sisters and Clements continue to do wonders up top.
“I had great assists from McKenzie and Maddie. Every single game, they have assists,” Clements said. “They do a great job of getting the ball to me and then it just’s my job to finish.”
Top Photo: Lower Moreland’s Allison Asmann flinches as Christopher Dock’s Rachel Schreiner kicks a ball past her face during their game on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2015. (Bob Raines/Montgomery Media)
