PREP SOCCER Fitch earning respect with early season wins

Senior midfielder Kelly Croysdale scored three goals in Fitch's 6-0 defeat of Hubbard.
By TOM WILLIAMS
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
AUSTINTOWN -- The Austintown Fitch High girls soccer team is soaring after Monday's 6-0 victory over Hubbard, the Valley's Division II regional-qualifying program the past three years.
"This is our year," said Fitch (2-0) senior midfielder Kelly Croysdale, after scoring three times against the Eagles (1-1).
"We look for all four midfielders and all three forwards to score," Fitch coach Carlo Trafficante said. "Obviously, they were targeting [sophomore forward] Brittney [Getz] a little bit, so the others stepped it up and finished.
"Kelly can score, but she also can distribute the ball well to set others up. She had a big game today.
"Hubbard is a good team, but we just had the intensity," Trafficante said. "We didn't play this well the other night, but luckily came out with the win."
Trafficante was referring to the season-opening 2-1 victory over Mooney.
"This was a very big test for us," Croysdale said. "After the Mooney game, we knew we have to step it up and play tough against [Hubbard]. They are aggressive."
Earning respect from other programs is the Falcons' goal.
"Our girls work hard, [but] in the last few years, they haven't in the last few years gotten a lot of respect from other coaches or really anyone," Trafficante said. "I told them that this is the only way to start getting it, so that's what their motivation is."
Early lead
Fourteen minutes into the game, Croysdale netted the first goal when she used her head to deflect Danielle Storey's corner kick into the net.
"Getting that first goal is a good thing, especially for our team," Croysdale said. "It really picks everyone's heads up a little bit, especially off a header. We're really working on that this year, so that felt really good. I always wanted to do that.
"I thought the keeper had it, and then I saw her hands and that it went through," Croysdale said.
Halfway through the first half, Amanda Sprowl scored on a direct kick for a 2-0 lead. The Eagles responded with their strongest play.
"It was tight still because at the end of the first half, they had the momentum," Croysdale said.
Early in the second half, the game became a surprising rout when Sarah Vaughan pulled Hubbard goalkeeper Hope Wright out of position and scored.
Croysdale followed with two goals in a span of 1:16, including one off her left foot. Jodi Bowlen netted Fitch's other goal.
The Falcons outshot the Eagles, 26-8, with Fitch goalie Kristi Brendlinger making eight saves.
Wright and Loni Sargent combined for 17 saves for Hubbard.
williams@vindy.com