Lions finish district runners-up
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
JACKSON — The record-setting season of the Fairfield Lions boys soccer team came to a close Saturday afternoon, with the team finishing as the Division III SE District runners-up.
The Lions set a school program record with 15 wins this year, but just couldn't get win No. 16 as they were defeated by the Wheelersburg Pirates by a 2-0 score at Jackson High School.
FHS kept the score at zero for a majority of the first half, but that was until the 4:03 mark when WHS junior Keith Thurmer put the ball in the back of the net with the keeper up in the box for a 1-0 advantage. The ball bounced multiple times before it rolled into the back of the net to break the scoreless tie.
[[In-content Ad]]In the second half, Thurmer made it a two-goal lead when he took the ball around 50 yards in a none-on-one situation, eventually kicking the ball to the right side of the net with 19:11 in the match.
FHS ends the season at 15-4-1 overall.
"The boys played really hard," FHS coach Brian Ortlieb said. "They had opportunities, but couldn't capitalize on them. Defensively, we had a couple that got by us.
"I feel we controlled the time of possession, but just couldn't get across the line."
At one point in the first half, the Lions pressured the defense of the Pirates with corner kicks by Blake Hildebrant, but the Lions were unable to convert multiple corner kicks into goals.
Also early in the first half, FHS keeper Joey Wilson made two saves around the 21- and 18-minute marks, including one save on a header opportunity, then keeping the score tied at zero.
In the second half, the Lions controlled the ball, again, missing goal chances with the ball sailing just a tad too high on consecutive shots at the 26:55 mark of the second half ad 25:15 as either one of those shots could have tied the score.
Following the second goal by the Pirates, the their defense increased their intensity and continued to keep their shutout intact.
Ortlieb spoke about how this season was the Lions' most successful.
"The boys accomplished a lot this season," he said. "The seniors have set the bar high from here on out. In the past 10 seasons, we've earned four sectional titles and are now a district runner-up, so this program has a lot to be proud of.
"This team as a whole amazed me all season. They have talent, but their camaraderie was impressive and amazing. They didn't just want to accomplish individual goals, but they wanted to accomplish goals as a team, and (Saturday) we just fell short of the goal."
WHS improves to 11-3-5 overall.
Seniors for the Lions this season were: Cody Bennett, Ryan Bates, Jon Crabtree, Blake Hildebrant, Wyatt Crothers, Quintin Schaffer and Joey Wilson.
The Lions set a school program record with 15 wins this year, but just couldn't get win No. 16 as they were defeated by the Wheelersburg Pirates by a 2-0 score at Jackson High School.
FHS kept the score at zero for a majority of the first half, but that was until the 4:03 mark when WHS junior Keith Thurmer put the ball in the back of the net with the keeper up in the box for a 1-0 advantage. The ball bounced multiple times before it rolled into the back of the net to break the scoreless tie.
[[In-content Ad]]In the second half, Thurmer made it a two-goal lead when he took the ball around 50 yards in a none-on-one situation, eventually kicking the ball to the right side of the net with 19:11 in the match.
FHS ends the season at 15-4-1 overall.
"The boys played really hard," FHS coach Brian Ortlieb said. "They had opportunities, but couldn't capitalize on them. Defensively, we had a couple that got by us.
"I feel we controlled the time of possession, but just couldn't get across the line."
At one point in the first half, the Lions pressured the defense of the Pirates with corner kicks by Blake Hildebrant, but the Lions were unable to convert multiple corner kicks into goals.
Also early in the first half, FHS keeper Joey Wilson made two saves around the 21- and 18-minute marks, including one save on a header opportunity, then keeping the score tied at zero.
In the second half, the Lions controlled the ball, again, missing goal chances with the ball sailing just a tad too high on consecutive shots at the 26:55 mark of the second half ad 25:15 as either one of those shots could have tied the score.
Following the second goal by the Pirates, the their defense increased their intensity and continued to keep their shutout intact.
Ortlieb spoke about how this season was the Lions' most successful.
"The boys accomplished a lot this season," he said. "The seniors have set the bar high from here on out. In the past 10 seasons, we've earned four sectional titles and are now a district runner-up, so this program has a lot to be proud of.
"This team as a whole amazed me all season. They have talent, but their camaraderie was impressive and amazing. They didn't just want to accomplish individual goals, but they wanted to accomplish goals as a team, and (Saturday) we just fell short of the goal."
WHS improves to 11-3-5 overall.
Seniors for the Lions this season were: Cody Bennett, Ryan Bates, Jon Crabtree, Blake Hildebrant, Wyatt Crothers, Quintin Schaffer and Joey Wilson.