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Howland, Fitch goalkeepers perfect in draw
By Ryan Buck
AUSTINTOWN
The Howland and Austintown Fitch boys soccer teams played to their second 0-0 draw of the season Tuesday night.
What was learned after another stalemate between two of the top teams in the All-American Conference?
The only assurance might be that there is still too much to be learned.
The Falcons nearly stole a season-defining win on their home field in the game’s closing minutes. But for a forgiving crossbar and a band-leading, golf club swinging and soccer ball-saving goalkeeper, Fitch certainly would have.
Tigers goalie and fall “activities” triathlete Howie Bortmas made seven saves — six in the second half — to keep Fitch off the scoreboard and comfortably in their rearview mirror in the race for the AAC Red title.
The Tigers maintained their undefeated season (7-0-3) and the multi-taltened Bortmas is a key reason.
“He’s had a tremendous season for us,” said Brian Stiles, who is in his first season as Tigers head coach. “He’s done everything we’ve asked of him and he’s made all the saves he’s needed to make.
“He comes up big in big games for us.”
It’s a tribute to Bortmas’ versatility that the senior even has enough time for soccer. He balances his fall between his role in the Tigers marching band, his spot on the Howland golf team and his duties in net.
Bortmas gave up soccer during his junior year to focus on golf. Soon the soccer itch was too much to ignore.
“During my freshman and sophomore years, I played soccer where I was the [goalkeeper] for [junior varsity],” Bortmas said. “Now I’m back at it.”
His schedule is filled, but he says nothing will overwhelm him.
“With soccer, band and golf, it’s kind of crazy,” Bortmas said. “But I’m pushing through.”
With 3:30 left in the match, Falcons forward Kyle Cyphert slipped through the Tigers defense, poking a loose ball ahead to the 18-yard box as Bortmas charged him.
Cyphert lofted a deliberate toe poke over Bortmas’ outstretched hands where it kissed the crossbar and flew into the air before descending just ahead of Cyphert, who followed the shot.
Bortmas knocked the ball out of harm’s way to preserve the tie.
“Luck is everything, I guess, when you’re a keeper and you’re off you’re [goal line],” Bortmas said. “But I recovered, punched it away and went on with the game.”
With 1:02 left, Bortmas grabbed another Cyphert shot, this from 20 yards away and the Falcons (3-4-3) never threatened again.
Falcons goalkeeper Hunter Klaus made five saves, including two impressive deflections of dangerous Howland cornerkicks.
The sophomore held a Tigers team averaging nearly four goals per game to none in two matches.
A young Falcons team (only four seniors) battled a squad just out of reach of a spot in the Division I state coaches’ poll.
“Our team has a lot of hustle,” Fitch coach Ken Kilpatrick said.