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Fitch junior forward Nathan Bowlen warms up before the Falcons’ soccer practice on Monday at the Austintown Junior Soccer League Fields. Fitch ended the regular season at 16-0, thanks to a renewed emphasis on defense.
AUSTINTOWN
In 2011, the Austintown Fitch boys soccer team finished with an 11-2-2 record and were ranked No. 10 in the state.
The Falcons graduated just three seniors. Now, they have seven — four of which have lettered since their freshman year.
“The cupboard was hardly left dry,” first-year coach Ken Kilpatrick said.
Kilpatrick and new assistants Bill Spencer, Brian Stiles and Ed Stredney have led Fitch to its first undefeated (16-0) regular season in school history with a renowned philosophy on defense.
“Preaching defense to defenders is not hard,” Kilpatrick said. “Preaching defense to forwards can be a challenge selling them on that.”
With nine goals, junior forward Nathan Bowlen is the team’s leading scorer. In fact, every Falcon (with the exception of two defenders and goaltender Nick Sheely) has scored at least once.
Still, the goals are not necessarily the goal.
“It’s a lot different than what I’m used to,” Bowlen said. “We push back a little bit and capitalize on the opportunities that the defense creates and us forwards have a hand in that too.
“So it’s really paid off.”
Fitch has 10 shutouts and has only given up six goals, this season. The Falcons have never allowed more than one goal per game.
“We like to score,” said Corey Spencer, a defender. “But recording a shutout is even better.”
Spencer is used to playing on the back line, he’s been a defender his whole life and embraces the responsibilities.
“Learning opponents techniques and judging which is their strong foot,” he says. “That’s the easiest way to stop an opponent.”
It may not be the flashiest or exciting job on the field, but it’s likely the most-important.
“It’s just something that kids don’t look forward to,” Kilpatrick said. “They think, ‘Oh man, I got put on defense.’ But really, it’s ‘Dude, you’re our best player.’ It’s just hard to convince them that.”
His son, Ken Jr., can.
“Defense wins championships,” he said. “That’s the road we’re on now.”
Today, they’ll be on the road to Akron. The whole team is taking a trip to Akron to see the No. 3 University of Akron play Michigan. It’s a quick escape out of the normal schedule as the Falcons prepare for Saturday’s 7 p.m. tournament game against Perry.
“We’ve been playing two or three games a week since early September,” Kilpatrick Jr. said. “It’s nice to finally get a break. Now is the time to focus on our strength for what’s to come.”
Despite the undefeated record, Fitch is the No. 2 seed in the Austintown district of the Division I tournament. The Falcons are 3-0 against D-I opponents with a most-recent victory over Boardman, 4-1, to close out the regular season.
With its 8-3-3 record, Canton GlenOak is the No. 1 seed.
“Well,” Kilpatrick Sr. said. “It’s our chance to disprove them.
“We know we’re going to be in every game. Whether we can put a team away that’s as good as we are, we hope that we play excellent soccer throughout. If we do that, a team that beats us will have to be super-excellent.”
The Falcons think they’re super-excellent to begin with.
“It’s never a one-man show,” Spencer said. “Lots of teamwork has got us here.”
Perry is 7-7 with a 4-5 record against Division I foes. The tournament games are hosted by Fitch and played at the high school.