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The Cleveland Ambassadors improved to 4-1-1 in league play today with a dominant 3-0 win over the visiting FC Indiana Lions at Rocky River High School. It was a beautiful day as a record 288 fans packed the home side of the stadium to cheer on their very own elite cast and crew of budding superstars.
FC Indiana
It was another fantastic day for Ashley Meier as she set the pace all game long with a heavy attack on the offensive end, smothering defense on the other end of the pitch, and relentless passing and communication that is impossible to beat.
The Ambassadors were riding high after outscoring their opponents last weekend, 13-1, and kept up the scoring on the strength of Meier early on as she connected just five minutes into the game to make it 1-0.
Cleveland Loosening up
It was a gutsy play by FC Indiana Goalkeeper Molly McLaughlin to come out and challenge Meier for the ball, but the FC gatekeeper was no match as Meier absolutely over powered her for the ball. Practically taking it away with ease, simply using her body and feet, to connect on the then empty net to score and make it 1-0.
The Ambassadors never looked back, and their feisty defense would make one goal enough, despite the fact they went on to score two more. The second of which came at the 31:58 mark when Anna Rico came off the bench like a house on fire.
She was all over the field and her hustle paid off with a powerful goal blasted past FC Indiana’s goal keeper McLaughlin. The ball took a certain angle you don’t see much in soccer, it was almost a knuckle ball style of kick, it worked to perfection and made the game 2-0.
The Ambassadors finished the scoring when once it again it was Meier in the heart of the action. This time she was making the assist and she set up a Sarah Krause goal with a beautiful pass that allowed Krause to have a great look on goal. Krause capitalized on the opening and put it past FC Indiana’s backup goalkeeper Andrea Vera who checked into the game for the second half.
Despite losing 3-0, Andrea Vera of FC Indiana had the save of the game in the 55th minute as Ashely Meier blasted one right at her, full speed from less then 20 yards out and Vera stepped up and saved it from being 4-0 in an instant. Just a an incredible play by Vera.
The Ambassadors had plenty of opportunities but couldn’t add to the 3-0 lead. Lindsay Sands was taken down brutally in the 73rd minute from behind in the box. It led to a penalty kick by Halle Stelbasky that she couldn’t put in.
I’m happy to report that Lindsay Sands returned to the game a short while later.
The Ambassadors will be back at it tomorrow in Akron at St. Vincent St. Mary at 2pm.
- The first 50 people through the gate tomorrow get a free autographed poster!
- St Vincent-St Mary High School – Gates open at 1pm… kickoff at 2pm!
High School
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