Lions begin season with victory over Green Devils
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
LEESBURG — The Fairfield Lions opened the '12 season in convincing fashion Wednesday in Southern Hills League play as they broke a tied score in the second half and ran away with a 4-1 victory over the North Adams Green Devils at FHS.
FHS head coach Brian Ortlieb was pleased to get a win in the first match of the season.
"Our defensive line played well on the back side," he said. " We transitioned well to upfront. We held the middle well, and Ryan did a good job there … he solidified the spot and kept the ball where we wanted it.
"It's always good to start the season with a win under the belt. The kids know what we are shooting for."
The Lions had trailed after 22 minutes as the Green Devils were first to score in the match for the one-goal lead.
North Adams' lead lasted less than six minutes with junior Blake Hildebrant taking the ball downfield off a pass (and assist) by Ryan Bates, scoring within 10 yards of the goal for a 1-1 score with 16:37 left in the opening half.
[[In-content Ad]]John Crabtree put the Lions in the lead at the 15:33 mark of the first half, putting the ball past the keeper of the Green Devils with the assist again from Bates.
At the start of the second half, it was Bates' turn to do some damage offensively by adding to the lead for the host Lions at the 15:42 mark of the second half, with a short goal near the net and the assist by Hildebrant as the players reversed roles from the first goal of the Lions.
The final goal of the match came from 20 yards out by Hildebrant with 9:30 left on the clock with the assist from Paul Dean.
Coach Ortlieb ended by talking about the defense.
"Defensively, Quintin Schaffer and Sam Dean did very well on the back line. Sam held his own, and he doesn't shy away from anything," he said.
At goal, Joey Wilson finished with seven saves for the Lions.
FHS will play again on Friday when they face Eastern Brown at FHS starting at 6 p.m.
FHS head coach Brian Ortlieb was pleased to get a win in the first match of the season.
"Our defensive line played well on the back side," he said. " We transitioned well to upfront. We held the middle well, and Ryan did a good job there … he solidified the spot and kept the ball where we wanted it.
"It's always good to start the season with a win under the belt. The kids know what we are shooting for."
The Lions had trailed after 22 minutes as the Green Devils were first to score in the match for the one-goal lead.
North Adams' lead lasted less than six minutes with junior Blake Hildebrant taking the ball downfield off a pass (and assist) by Ryan Bates, scoring within 10 yards of the goal for a 1-1 score with 16:37 left in the opening half.
[[In-content Ad]]John Crabtree put the Lions in the lead at the 15:33 mark of the first half, putting the ball past the keeper of the Green Devils with the assist again from Bates.
At the start of the second half, it was Bates' turn to do some damage offensively by adding to the lead for the host Lions at the 15:42 mark of the second half, with a short goal near the net and the assist by Hildebrant as the players reversed roles from the first goal of the Lions.
The final goal of the match came from 20 yards out by Hildebrant with 9:30 left on the clock with the assist from Paul Dean.
Coach Ortlieb ended by talking about the defense.
"Defensively, Quintin Schaffer and Sam Dean did very well on the back line. Sam held his own, and he doesn't shy away from anything," he said.
At goal, Joey Wilson finished with seven saves for the Lions.
FHS will play again on Friday when they face Eastern Brown at FHS starting at 6 p.m.