The Pioneers will play Mainland in the next round on Thursday at 2 p.m. They had beaten Cherokee, 2-1, in the South Jersey Coaches Tournament, but this time coach Dan Matozzo made a defensive adjustment that went a long way toward securing victory

Clearview senior Lillian Kraemer was assigned to mark Cherokee's immensely talented Bridgette Bartkowski, a Rider recruit, who has an unending offensive arsenal.

Quick moves, great touch, strong burst of speed. You name it, and Bartkowski possesses it.

The one thing she didn't have Monday was space.

Kraemer made sure of that by giving Bartkowski little room to maneuver.

"I always have to deal with having no space," Bartkowski said shortly after playing her final game of a brilliant career for the 8-8-1 Chiefs. "I've had to deal with it a long time."

Yet there were probably few defenders who caused as much inconvenience as Kraemer.

"She is a very physical player," Bartkowski said.

And one who reads the game well.

Kraemer knew how difficult her assignment would be. She used to be a club soccer teammate of Bartkowski for the Marlton Storm. And when Clearview scored the earlier win, Kraemer wasn't assigned to mark the Cherokee senior but often had to slide over and offer help.

This time, it was her job. But in soccer, great players often attract more than one defender, and this was no exception. In the times that Bartkowski would get free, Clearview had help, mainly in the form of sweeper Sarah Kooistra, who brings the most necessary fundamental skill to the field: she is rarely out of position.

Even with help, Bartkowski can be a handful to defend, but Kraemer was more than up to the task.

"It was a really tough matchup because she is so skilled," Kraemer said. "The key is that you don't want her to get any momentum because she is really dangerous."

In such a tight game, there is no room for error. Clearview capitalized on its one golden chance after talented forward Kelley Alpaugh drew a penalty kick when she was taken down inside the 18-yard-line. Alpaugh, who is headed to Fordham, made several strong runs and was rewarded this time.

Teammate Miranda Donnian converted the penalty kick with just under 11 minutes left in the first half, and that was all Clearview needed.

What's interesting about Kraemer is that she has gained knowledge about defending forwards because she is one. In club soccer she plays up top.

"It helps that I have played the position because I know what goes through the mind of somebody playing striker," Kraemer said.

Alpaugh was not only happy to see her high school career extended at least one game but just as glad that she only has to deal with somebody such as Kraemer in practice and not in the games.

"Lil is such a workhorse and just never stops," Alpaugh said. "She makes it really tough on anybody she is defending."

And makes it easier for her teammates, not in practice, but during the actual game within the game.

Cherokee    0 0 - 0

Clearview    1 0 - 1

Goals: Cl-Miranda Donnian (PK). Saves: Cl-Lauren West (5), Ch-Tori Hunt (0), Gina McCool (3)