Fitch extends Hudson before falling

The Falcons dropped a 2-1 decision in a regional semifinal to a team ranked as high as No. 1 in the U.S.
By BILL SULLIVAN
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
RAVENNA -- The Hudson High boys soccer team is ranked No. 1 in the country, but Austintown Fitch can't be far behind.
Tuesday, in a Division I regional semifinal at Ravenna High School on a raw, windy night, the Explorers scored twice on controversial plays to eliminate the Falcons 2-1.
Although Fitch (13-6-1) was out-scored by the Explorers (17-0-2), neither the tough Hudson defense nor the rough autumn weather was enough to deflate the Falcon spirit.
"First in the nation, first in the state, don't mean anything to Fitch," said Falcon senior forward Sam Camens, who finished the year with 21 goals and 13 assists.
"We went out there and we were going to play them as hard as we could, and we were going to play our game, and I thought we did an excellent job of that," added Camens.
Spread the field
The Explorers spread the field wide, involving their backs in the attack, and seemed to have a man advantage on offense.
Despite taking the first five shots of the match, Hudson fell behind 1-0 with about 13 minutes gone.
Camens played in a corner kick that went to senior sweeper Jason Cicconi, 10 yards out.
His left-footed blast put Fitch in front. It was only the eighth goal permitted by Hudson, which has rung up 13 shutouts.
"Sam played a great ball off the corner," said Cicconi. "It just got over the defender's head, and I was able to hit it solidly with my left foot."
Played well against talent
Fitch players stood their ground against Hudson, which was tied for first in Ohio in the coaches poll, is listed first in America by Student Sports Magazine, and is called No. 5 in the USA by the National Soccer Coaches Association.
"We knew we could play with them just so long as we kept our focus," said Cicconi. "They're definitely the best team I've ever played in my life."
At the 17-minute mark of the first half, the Explorers played a free kick from near midfield.
While it seemed a Hudson player lined up in an offside position, play was allowed to continue. Another Explorer, Louie Rolko, caught the Falcons standing flatfooted and accepted the ball at the 25-yard line, unmarked.
His 1-on-1 kick went over the head of Fitch goalie, Pat Passewitz, to tie it and swing the momentum.
"They got a couple of breaks," said Fitch coach Rigo Castillo, who has a 120-45-10 record in 11 season.
"The first goal shouldn't be a goal, it was a clear off-sides."
Camens agreed the goal should have not counted
"It's a shame they had to score off questionable calls," said Camens. "We put in one goal straight up, no questions asked. It definitely was off-sides."
Penalty-kick goal
Seven minutes before the half, a Hudson player was tackled in the box and junior Xavier Balc delivered a penalty kick goal just beyond the reach of Passewitz.
Balc, an all-state caliber player, has 14 goals and 13 assists.
Castillo, who has taken Fitch to the regional four times, also doubted if the winning penalty kick should have been awarded.
"The penalty kick was questionable," said Castillo. "They got the breaks."
Hudson dropped an extra defender in the second half and Fitch continued to look for the equalizer.
Despite having two Falcons helped off the field due to injuries and three more receiving yellow cards, Fitch pressed the attack.
Hudson coach Michael Payne said Fitch was "very disciplined," and thought the officials made the right call on the first Explorer goal.
"That's a referee's judgment call," said Payne. "There was a guy who was not making any effort to the ball, so he might be in an off-sides position but he's not gaining an advantage."