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Bowlen, Linton get goals in Fitch win
By Brandon Judeh
HOWLAND
Under dark, foreboding skies the Fitch boys soccer team defeated Howland, 2-0, on Tuesday night.
Rain slowed the field and made for a chess match between the teams early on, with neither team making any progress.
The second half, however, was a different story.
“We worked on pressuring the outside and trying to engage defenders,” Fitch coach Brian Stiles said. “We did a nice job in the second half attacking the front post and it helped us score both of our goals.”
Both teams came out firing, as it was a foot race to see who could gain field position.
Fitch struck for a goal in the 13th minute when Nathan Bowlen knocked the ball in from a mad scrum in front of the net to put the Falcons (2-0) on top.
“We didn’t play good in the first half and at halftime we said we needed to come out and score quick and that goal ended up being huge for us,” Bowlen said.
The battle for field position continued deep into the second half, with the Tigers (0-2) driving deep into Falcons territory.
Howland junior Benji Rush had a one-on-one opportunity against Fitch goalie — and offseason club soccer teammate — Nicholas Sheely.
Sheely won the battle and held the lead for the Falcons.
In all, about 20 members between the two squads play together in the offseason, making this a unique rivalry.
“It’s fun to come out and play Howland, they are our friends and it’s always competitive,” Fitch senior Shane Linton said.
Bowlen agrees.
“I love playing against these guys, this was a fun game, and we all joke around and have fun out there,” he said.
Late in the game, with the Falcons clinging to a 1-0 lead, senior Kyle Kosco found Linton on a perfect pass-and-header combo that clinched the game for Fitch.
“It was a big opportunity for us, and we executed it well,” Linton said. “Kosco gave me a nice pass and I just followed through and got my head on it.”
Despite the loss, Howland goalie Kurt Kuszmaul made several spectacular saves to keep his team in the game. Kuszmaul had 12 saves.
Sheely had nine saves and stopped a furious rally toward the end of the second half to preserve the victory.
Howland had several other opportunities early. A wide-open shot missed wide right, followed by another shot that was stalled by the Falcons defenders in the game’s fifth minute.
Down 1-0 in the middle of the second half, Howland’s Cody Davis had a chance to tie the game, but his shot hit the top of the cross bar.
Though it is early in the season, Stiles says his team’s 2-0 start is huge for the Falcons program.
“This is a great start for our team and Howland is a great program, we just need to keep working and improving.”