Lions fall in OT to Valley in districts
Lead Summary
By
The Highland County Press-
It took an overtime period, but the '12 season of the Fairfield Lions ended on Monday night. The Lions held the Valley Indians scoreless for 80 minutes of regulation, but Valley was first to score in the match, defeating the visiting Lions, 1-0 at VHS.
Valley's goal came in the first overtime period as Bryce Romanello kicked the ball in after FHS keeper Joey Wilson dove to save the ball, on an earlier save. As Wilson had the ball while on the ground, Romanello pushed the ball into the goal, giving Valley the win.
The game-winning goal was scored with 2:28 left in the first overtime.
"We played really well," FHS coach Brian Ortlieb said. "We kept the ball on their side, on the ground, and made really good passes and through balls.
"We outshot them quite a bit, but credit their goalie, he played amazing and made some good saves."
FHS kept Valley to single-digit shots at goal.
"Quintin Schaffer played a great game for us," Ortlieb said. "He was against their best player, and he kept him to two shots at goal. Keeping a player to that many shots, who scored 41 goals in a season, is a great accomplishment."
The Lions entered the postseason as a No. 3 seed as they defeated McDermott Northwest, 1-0 in their sectional final match last week, but in this new week, they were unable to gain a single goal in a match they controlled.
[[In-content Ad]]
The lone FHS senior this year was Sam Dean. FHS finishes the season at 10-7-1 overall as they were the final boys soccer team from Highland County to be eliminated from postseason play.
"Sam will be missed," Ortlieb said. "He's a fullback for us and has been an anchor for us defensively the past four years. He's a great kid on and off the field.
"For our season … anytime you can get 10 wins in a year, it is something special," Ortlieb said. "We've had two straight sectional titles, and we'll have everyone but Sam back.
"We're going to miss Sam … these kids have worked hard and have a lot to be proud of. They have nothing to hang their heads about, and I'm very proud of this team."
Ortlieb also spoke about next season.
"We have a lot to look forward to, and this was a season to build on," he said. "We have high expectations next year."
No. 2 seed Valley (15-1-1) will now face Berlin Hiland in the Division III (Jackson 3) district championship match on Saturday, Oct. 27 at Jackson High School. Berlin Hiland defeated Steubenville Catholic Central, 5-0 in their district semifinal.
Valley's goal came in the first overtime period as Bryce Romanello kicked the ball in after FHS keeper Joey Wilson dove to save the ball, on an earlier save. As Wilson had the ball while on the ground, Romanello pushed the ball into the goal, giving Valley the win.
The game-winning goal was scored with 2:28 left in the first overtime.
"We played really well," FHS coach Brian Ortlieb said. "We kept the ball on their side, on the ground, and made really good passes and through balls.
"We outshot them quite a bit, but credit their goalie, he played amazing and made some good saves."
FHS kept Valley to single-digit shots at goal.
"Quintin Schaffer played a great game for us," Ortlieb said. "He was against their best player, and he kept him to two shots at goal. Keeping a player to that many shots, who scored 41 goals in a season, is a great accomplishment."
The Lions entered the postseason as a No. 3 seed as they defeated McDermott Northwest, 1-0 in their sectional final match last week, but in this new week, they were unable to gain a single goal in a match they controlled.
[[In-content Ad]]
The lone FHS senior this year was Sam Dean. FHS finishes the season at 10-7-1 overall as they were the final boys soccer team from Highland County to be eliminated from postseason play.
"Sam will be missed," Ortlieb said. "He's a fullback for us and has been an anchor for us defensively the past four years. He's a great kid on and off the field.
"For our season … anytime you can get 10 wins in a year, it is something special," Ortlieb said. "We've had two straight sectional titles, and we'll have everyone but Sam back.
"We're going to miss Sam … these kids have worked hard and have a lot to be proud of. They have nothing to hang their heads about, and I'm very proud of this team."
Ortlieb also spoke about next season.
"We have a lot to look forward to, and this was a season to build on," he said. "We have high expectations next year."
No. 2 seed Valley (15-1-1) will now face Berlin Hiland in the Division III (Jackson 3) district championship match on Saturday, Oct. 27 at Jackson High School. Berlin Hiland defeated Steubenville Catholic Central, 5-0 in their district semifinal.