Sports

Miller sets Clarion scoring record

Clarion senior forward Jill Miller set a new school record for goals and points in a career.

Miller headed into last Wednesday’s women’s soccer game against Lock Haven University tied with Ashlie Regazzi with 14 goals, and one point behind her point record. Miller set both records Wednesday night.

“It means so much to me. I am a very competitive person, so not only do I want our team to win games, but I also want to accomplish personal goals, especially the scoring record because that is my job as a forward,” Miller said.

Coach Rob Eaton has big hopes for Miller this year..

“I told her to keep pushing for more. The more she scores now, the harder the record will be to break and, at the same time, the better we’ll be both now and in the future. Her record will be the catalyst to future levels,” Coach Eaton said.

In the 79th minute, with her team trailing 2-1, Miller found the back of the net to tie the game and set the school records.

She helped Clarion in a big comeback to force a tie with LHU.

Amanda Lewis got the comeback started with her goal in the 59th minute.

Both the Golden Eagle goals were unassisted.

Lock Haven got the scoring started in the first minute of the game off a header from a corner kick from Arielle Gordon.

They added to the lead in the 49th minute, as Gordon assisted a goal by Madison Taylor.

Both Miller and Clarion were back in action Saturday evening at Memorial Stadium, playing host to Slippery Rock.

A late half effort by Miller led the Golden Eagles (3-3-3 Overall, 3-1-2 PSAC) to a tie with SRU.

Clarion was down 2-0 going into the 85th minute before Miller got her team on the board with a goal.

Not even a minute later she found the back of the net on a spectacular bicycle kick.

Her goals were assisted by freshman midfielders Gabby Gray and Kristen Scheutzow respectively.

“That type of athletic reaction is something that you really can’t practice in specific situations. You can train the motor skills part of it, but it has to be a feeling and instinctive reaction to the situation and it came off perfectly, and in honesty was about the only thing that would have got us the result,” Coach Eaton said.

Miller wants not only herself, but the whole team to do the best they can on the field for the rest of the season.

“My expectations for myself and the team are just to do our absolute best. We are very realistic and know when teams have better skills than us, but it’s our heart that keeps us in the game,” Miller said.

Senior goalkeeper Jenna Kulik made nine saves in the contest.

The Golden Eagles were outshot 15-2, but those two turned out to be important.

Clarion goes on a three game road trip before heading home to host Mansfield on Saturday Oct. 16.

Coach Eaton said that the next three games will be critical if the Golden Eagles want to make the playoffs.

“The next three games will determine any playoff possibilities for us, the first time ever in school history. We have to beat Millersville; we then play West Chester who likely will be ranked in the top four in the nation. A close result is all we can hope for. Then a point at Kutztown will help, but a win at Millersville is paramount.”

The match against Millersville is set for friday at 3 p.m.