Southern Ohio Sports Authority is presented by OhioHealth.
LOGAN — In a game as tight as Monday’s, all it takes is one big play to make the difference.
For Fairfield Union, that one big play came early, and it was all that was necessary.
In a defensively-centered match, all the Falcons (16-1-2) needed was a goal from Maddi Mitchell in the 11th minute to earn a 1-0 victory over Warren in a Division II district semifinal, sending the Falcons to their third straight district final.
CREDIT: Hailey Fox/SOSA
“It was definitely a battle,” Mitchell said. “This was a really good challenge for us.”
“We haven’t seen a team like [Warren] in a while,” Falcons goalkeeper Maycee Martindill said. “This helps open our eyes to what we need to work on.”
Fairfield Union dominated possession early on, and it paid off at the 29-minute mark in the first half. Mitchell got the ball on the attack and fired across her body, finding the back corner of the net to give the Falcons an early 1-0 advantage.
“I was excited. The adrenaline was going through my body,” Mitchell said. “I didn’t know how to feel.”
However, despite keeping possession for the majority of the first half, Fairfield Union was unable to capitalize and expand its lead, leaving the score at 1-0 heading into the break.
But while the Falcons were unable to generate any extra offense, it was their defense that rose to the occasion in the second 40-minute period, keeping them in front.
“I know our defense holds us together so well,” Martindill said. “We have a strong back line. Not a lot of teams can get past our back line, but when they do, I know I have to step forward and stop the ball.”
Warren (10-9) was unable to fire a single shot on target in the second half. Fairfield Union capitalized and limited the number of Warren possessions, allowing the Falcons to play keep-away and wind down the clock before celebrating another district final appearance.
“I think us being able to connect in the final third was a major key in this game,” Mitchell said. “Keeping the ball away from them and out of the corners, and keeping our defense up in them helped.”
The Falcons will return to action at 6 p.m., Thursday at Logan High School where they’ll face Sheridan — who defeated Circleville on Monday night to advance.
“I just know we have to buckle down and get this win,” Mitchell said. “We can’t move on any further if we don’t get this win.”
“We have to focus on moving the ball and not trying to force long passes,” Martindill added.
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