Brock Netter, Editor
Southern Ohio Sports Authority is presented by Holzer Health System.
LOGAN — When Fairfield Union and Tri-Valley met back on Aug. 18, it was the Falcons’ second game of the season and the Scotties’ season-opener
It ended in a 3-2 victory for the Falcons.
Both teams were completely different and in full form when they locked up again on Tuesday night. But there was one thing that didn’t change.
The final result.
The Falcons’ defense allowed only two shots attempts, while the offense scored in the opening five minutes and didn’t look back, paving the way to a 2-0 victory in a Division III regional semifinal.
CREDIT: Brock Netter/SOSA
“We didn’t connect as many passes as we wanted to,” Fairfield Union coach Casey Bischof said. “We knew they had a really good center back and goalie, but they’ve changed just as we have from the first matchup. But we played really hard and any time you can get out of a tournament game with a win, you can’t really complain about it too much.”
One big change from that first matchup was that Kaeda Miller was on the pitch, and serving as the last line of defense.
Although her switch to keeper for the match was different, with a stingy defense in front of her, she kept a clean sheet throughout.
“I really enjoy playing in the field, so the transition was definitely a little tough for me. But I knew it’s what my team needed from me,” Miller said. “I know our back four are really strong, and they took a lot of pressure off me and played so well.”
PHOTOS: Images from Fairfield Union’s regional semifinal win over Tri-Valley
It didn’t take long for the tone to be set.
Just five minutes into the game, Fairfield Union (15-4-2) had already been near Tri-Valley’s goal.
The Falcons made their third trip count.
With the ball at Kyla Gasser’s feet on the left side, she sent in a cross that found Ruby Warthman, who finished the chance and connected with back of the net for a quick 1-0 lead.
“It was super-exciting to see that ball go in and I’m so glad Kyla found me to connect on the goal,” Warthman said. “I got up the field when I saw she had the ball, and I stuck my foot and shot it.”
That score remained through halftime, and the Falcons’ defense continued to be a tight unit, giving its offense every chance at controlling possession.
Those extra possessions added up to some extra chances, and it was Gasser’s time to shine.
Going two-on-one, she stepped left and crossed back right, leaving a defender and eventually connecting with the back of the net to make it 2-0.
“A 2-0 lead is such a big thing, especially in a Sweet 16 game,” Gasser said. “I wanted to make sure our team felt more secure winning the game. I won’t lie, it did break my heart scoring that goal because she was hurt and I wanted the game to be stopped. But it wasn’t, so I had to do what I had to do.”
From that moment on, the Falcons continued to possess the ball and leave no openings to be taken advantage of as they watched the clock melt to zero.
“This is only the second time in program history that we’ve made the Elite 8, so it’s super exciting to be here,” Bischof said. “These six seniors have been so close to this stage, only to get knocked out in the Sweet 16 on two different occasions. So to see them have another chance, win, have a couple more practices with them and make the Elite 8, it means a lot.”
Fairfield Union returns to action at 11 a.m., Saturday in a Division III regional final against Bexley, who defeated Bloom-Carroll to advance.
That game will take place at Heath High School.
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