Lions lose shortened match to Warriors

LEESBURG — The Fairfield Lions and the Eastern Warriors did all they could to get their Southern Hills Athletic Conference match in before the darkness, but it did not happen.

With the game being called with 6:42 left on the clock from a shortened 35-minute half, the Lions lost to the visiting Warriors, 3-1 Monday at FHS.

For the Lions, their lone goal came off the foot of freshman Bennett Hodson with 26:02 left in the second half, as his goal came near the net. That goal by the freshman tied the score at 1-1.

"I think we played hard, and we did a decent job of passing the ball at times and defending at times, but we just had a couple little lapses that get us every time," FHS head coach Brian Ortlieb said. "We've played several matches where we lose 2-1, 3-1, 3-2, and we just can't do those extra little things to get over the hump."

The first goal of the match was by the Warriors, with Kendall Purdy placing the ball in the back of the net off a direct free kick with 17:51 left in the first half.

Following Hodson's goal in the first half, Luke Woolard put the Warriors in front at 2-1 on another direct free kick, as Purdy looked to be the one to kick the ball but let off as Woolard took the shot instead for the goal.

Purdy put the Warriors ahead by two goals with 19:51 left in the match, placing the ball across the diving keeper and into the right side of the goal.

The loss by the Lions puts them at 1-9-2 overall.

"Matthew Jones has only been at goal for a couple matches, and he's done well back there," Ortlieb said. "Our defensive line is starting to gel back there, and on the free kicks, we didn't react in time. They (EB) set it and quick kicked it and took advantage of us setting up."

FHS has one regular-season match left this Friday vs. Peebles.

No. 3 seeded Fairfield will play their Division IV sectional first-round match on Monday, Oct. 19 at No. 3 seeded North Adams with a start time of 5 p.m.