Fitch Falcons make amends

By CHUCK HOUSTEAU
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
AUSTINTOWN -- Sam Camens is a difference-maker for the Austintown Fitch High boys soccer team.
The Division I District player of the year scored two goals and an assist to lead the Falcons to a 3-0 win over North Canton Hoover in a Division I district semifinal game Monday at Fitch High.
The win avenged a 2-1 regular season defeat to the Vikings and advanced the Falcons to Green for the district championship game Thursday at 7 p.m. Green defeated Boardman 5-1 on Monday.
"We wanted this win," Camens said. "They beat us during the season so this was for revenge. We want that district championship and this is one step closer."
Early lead: Camens showed early that he was on a mission to lead his team to victory.
The junior helped get the Falcons on the scoreboard at the 29:04 mark of the first half by feeding teammate Ryan Puskas, who beat Hoover's goalkeeper on a nifty move for a goal.
Minutes later, Camens beat the Viking defense on a pass from Puskas and blasted a shot past the goalkeeper for a quick 2-0 lead.
"The key was No. 9, Sammy [Camens]," said Hoover coach Mario Giganti. "You just can't leave him free. You leave him free and he'll [beat] you and that's just what he did.
"He's probably one of the most consistent of the elite players that is in this area," Giganti said. "In the first game, we were able to contain him somewhat, but tonight we didn't come to play."
Fitch coach Rigo Castillo said the early lead was important for his team.
"We needed to start at a high level of play and then maintain that for the entire game," Castillo said.
Besides Camens' early offensive eruptions, it was a defensive strategic move that enabled the Falcons to post a shutout.
Castillo said that he moved midfielder Chris Frazzini to sweeper and Mark Barahona to midfield to offset Hoover's offensive strengths.
"Hoover controlled us at midfield last game and we had to take that away," Castillo said. "Both players excelled at their new positions and that was the key to keeping them off the scoreboard."
Good defense: Fitch's defense allowed Hoover only six shots, while the Falcons offense pasted the Viking net with 14 shots.
Camens added his final goal midway through the second half on an assist from Barahona to put the game away.
The goals were the 19th and 20th on the season for Camens and the assist was his 11th.
"Sam was voted player of the year for a reason," Castillo said. "He's been a great weapon for us every game, no matter where we play him.
"He gives his best at all times and brings the other players' level of play up. He's a leader for us."