Hillsboro wins by one goal over Fairfield 

LEESBURG — The Hillsboro Indians earned their first win of the 2025 season, and they did so in a close game against a Highland County foe, the Fairfield Lions in a game that was played in 90-plus degree weather on Tuesday. 

The Indians — playing their third game in four days — trailed by a 1-0 score at halftime, as the Lions were first to strike on the scoreboard when freshman Blake Walters sent the ball to the back of the net with an assist by sophomore Colton Durose for the one goal lead with 22:03 left in the first half. 

Before Hillsboro’s first goal in the second half, the Lions in the first half kept their one-goal lead due in large part by the play at goal by Anderson Humphreys of Fairfield. Humphreys made a big save at goal with 2:40 left in the first half, and the defense of the Lions also made another stop near the end of the first half to keep the Indians scoreless in the first half. 

The 1-0 score stood at half, and until the 28:44 mark of the second half, when the Indians got on the board with a goal by senior Ryan Howland for a 1-1 tied score.

“I highly doubt there are many teams that have already played three games this early into the season,” HHS head coach Ben Howland said. “We played a good team in North Adams, then played a good team in Wilmington and lost 1-0, but it was a fun game, a physical game.

“Tonight, (Fairfield) came out and got the lead, and credit to them. We fought back, and I had a little talk with our guys at halftime and it seemed to work, so a win is a win.”

The Lions had an injury happen to Humphreys at the 26:35 mark of the second half, resulting in him leaving the game and not returning. Humphreys finished the game with 10 saves. 

“We’re continuing to get better, and Hillsboro is a quality opponent,” Fairfield head coach Jacob Alexander said. “This was one of those, again, that injuries and heat continue to get to us. Anderson took a hit at the goal, and that threw things off for us.

“I thought the guys did a good job overall with us being up 1-0 at the half, but we have to learn — and we are young — but we have to learn to to hold onto that lead, rather than circumstances get the best of us.” 

Hillsboro took advantage of the situation and took the lead with a second goal from Howland with 20:18 remaining in the contest for a 2-1 lead, a score that stood until the final buzzer sounded. 

“As a dad, I’m proud of my son Ryan,” the HHS coach said. “He came back from ACL surgery last October and was cleared, so as a dad I’m proud, but as a coach I’m happy to have him out there.”

Keeping their one-goal lead, the Indians’ defense played big for the remainder of the game, including a big stop at the 14:23 mark. Both Howland goals were assisted, with assists going to senior Dylan Bender and senior Cameron Burkard. 

Hillsboro keeper, freshman Owen Davis, totaled nine saves. Fairfield keeper sophomore Parker Pierce had one save in 10 minutes at goal, and freshman Easton Zink totaled two saves in 10 minutes as keeper. 

“We are probably running on empty, and there is probably a little Gatorade in our future,” Howland said. “We are 1-2, and I’ll take it. We’ve played three good teams now. I’m happy. We have a freshman goalie, and I was nervous, but he’s held his own.”

Next for the Indians (1-2) is a Frontier Athletic Conference match on Tuesday, Aug. 26 at 5 p.m. at Miami Trace, as the first five games of the season for the Indians are on the road. 

“We are on a five-game road stand right now, so we have Miami Trace and Chillicothe next week, so we are getting some bus time in right now,” Howland said.

The Lions (0-2) will play again on Monday, Aug. 25 on the road at North Adams in Southern Hills Athletic Conference action at 4:30 p.m. That game will be the start of five consecutive away games for the Lions. 

BOX SCORE
HHS    0 2 — 2
FHS    1 0 — 1