Next up, Green: Tigers top Cards

Howland will meet the Bulldogs in a rematch of last year's district final.
By CHUCK HOUSTEAU
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
HOWLAND -- History said that the Division I district semifinal matchup between Canfield and Howland would be a tough one for the top-seeded Tigers.
Howland coach Pat Hovance knew all too well that the fourth-seeded Cardinals would provide a strong challenge.
"This is always a one goal game between these two teams," Hovance said. "This year and throughout the past years, every game has been close."
Wednesday night was no different and it wasn't until sophomore Deja Amato, on an assist from senior Erin Gilmour, drilled a kick into the right side of the net with 4:33 left in the game that sealed a 3-1 victory for Howland.
Play Green on Saturday
The Tigers (16-1-2) will advance to the district championship game on Saturday at 3 p.m. at home against Green in a rematch of last year's title contest. Green defeated Howland 2-1 in overtime in that game to move onto regional play.
In two previous league matchups this year, Howland defeated the Cardinals (10-5-4) 2-1 and 2-0.
"It's scary when you are playing Canfield," Hovance said. "It becomes a game where you are playing for one goal."
The Tigers got that goal and some breathing room early when Meagan McLaughlin found the ball on the left wing on an assist from Allie Airhart and booted it into the back of the net at the 33:40 mark of the first half.
"That goal was key," Hovance said. "Especially with the tough field conditions. It forced Canfield to change their game plan a little bit."
Cardinals goalie
The Tigers kept the pressure on the rest of the first 40-minute period but Canfield's freshman goal keeper, Anokha Padubidri, was up to the task.
Padubidri made seven saves on the night but four in the first half were all very impressive.
"Anokha played a great game in goal," said Canfield coach Tim Wensel. "She started out on the JV team this year but has played so well and she helped keep us in the game."
The freshman's best two stops came in the final minute of the first half when she denied short-range shots by Howland's Airhart and Megan Long.
Pulled to 2-0 lead
The two team battled evenly in the first ten minutes of the second half but Howland's speed enabled them to race downfield and get an open shot from the left corner by Olivia Wilson that found its way past a diving Padubidri. Wilson's shot came off a pass from Gilmore with 18:52 remaining in the game.
But the Cardinals were not to be denied.
Senior Nicole Sorice got Canfield back in the game when she blasted a direct kick from 40 yards that somehow dribbled under the arms of Howland keeper Melissa Airhart, who seemed to have the shot under control.
Canfield was suddenly within one goal, 2-1, with 14:17 left in the contest.
"That was a big morale-builder for us," Wensel said. "The girls really seemed to play even harder after that but Howland's a good team and they responded to our threat."
Hovance was just happy that the Tigers were able to bounce back from that late Canfield goal and advance to the championship game.
"It was a physical game," Hovance said. "I had confidence and trust that our goal keeper would come back and play tough after Canfield got that goal past her.
"Now we have to turn our attention to Green," Hovance said. "We're looking forward to the rematch and getting a chance to play in November. When you are playing November soccer you know that you are a district champion."
Green 1, Fitch 0
AUSTINTOWN -- Caitlin Glassner scored the only goal of the contest with 34 minutes, 48 seconds remaining in the second half.
The Bulldogs (11-3-5) had 12 shots on goal and Fitch (12-4-3) had 13.
Cara Calai had eight saves for the Falcons. Stacy Mesner had nine saves for the Bulldogs. Mesner made two crucial saves in the second half on kicks heading into the goal. She tipped one away and stopped the other one.