By LESLEY GRAHAM
The Ocean City girls soccer team defeated Clearview Regional, 3-0, Monday afternoon to advance to the semifinal round of the South Jersey Coaches Association Tournament.
The win lifted Ocean City to a 17-1 record as the Red Raiders continue to push for a state title.
Ocean City, whose only loss came during a double overtime stunner to Mainland, recorded its 10th shutout of the season behind staunch defense and stellar goalkeeping from Tori Vliet.
Scoring for the Red Raiders was the dynamic duo of Summer Reimet and Hope Slimmer. Reimet scored all three goals on three assists from Slimmer.
Ocean City Head Coach Lisa Cuneo knows how lucky the team is to have Reimet and Slimmer on the roster.
“Hope’s awareness and ability to put the ball in pretty much any place she sees, combined together with Summer’s physicality and drive to finish, makes it an obvious connection,” Cuneo said post game.
Ocean City was able to find the back of the net off Reimet’s boot from Slimmer in the opening half of play for their first connection of the game.
During the second half, Reimet and Slimmer combined for two more goals, giving Ocean City a three- goal cushion.
“I’m proud of the girls. They are a little banged up and they keep pushing along. At this point in the season we just need to dig deep and find a way,” Cuneo said.
As Ocean City prepares to face Rancocas Valley in the semifinal round on Wednesday night, Cuneo reiterated that from this point on there are no easy games.
“Mistakes can cost you the game when you are playing tough opponents,” she said. “Clearview wasn’t going to let us get away with anything easy, and we don’t expect that from anyone. We just need to keep working for those goals.”
Wednesday’s game against Rancocas Valley will be held at a neutral site in Cherry Hill at DeCou Complex.
