Aidan Lang's third goal helped Fredonia fight back from blowing a two-goal lead, as the Hillbillies (4-2, 2-2) held of the Falconer Golden Falcons (1-6, 1-3), 3-2, during CCAA Division 1 boys' soccer action Tuesday, at Fredonia High School.
"It's the kind of production we like to see," Fredonia head coach Jeff Walker said of Lang. "I don't expect anything from anybody. When it comes, it's awful nice to see. He worked hard today, as did everyone on the offense."
The Hillbillies built a 2-0 lead in the first half on a pair of goals from Lang.
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OBSERVER Photo by Gib Snyder III
Fredonia’s Aidan Lang (7) looks to make a move past Falconer defender Tom Fales (3) during their CCAA Division 1 boys’ soccer game Tuesday, at Fredonia High School.
Lang's first goal came 1:21 into the game as he chipped a deflection off a Julius Woma shot past Falconer keeper Trevor Dykstra.
"We are a very young team, and we cannot make a single mistake," Falconer head coach Daniel Molfino said. "When we make mistakes, we pay for them."
Lang's second goal came on an assist from Bryce Gifford in the 12th minute. Gifford crossed the ball into the box past the outstretched leg of teammate Jon Saeli and onto the foot of Lang. The senior then ripped the ball past Dykstra for the 2-0 lead.
"The youth has been our problem ... Inexperience," Molfino said. "I only have one senior starting. That's not an excuse, but I'm starting three ninth graders. And they have not played at this level and we're paying the price for it this year. Hopefully we get better next year."
Up 2-0 and cruising along, the Hillbilles soon saw their lead dwindle away, as Falconer scored on a penalty kick with 31:18 left in the second half and again on free kick with 27:56 left in regulation.
"They did well," Molfino said of the comeback, "Two down, we came back, and then we had a lapse. Fredonia played very well. They passed the ball well, they're well coached and they were better than us. Hopefully we get them at home."
Steven Kanicki scored on the penalty kick while Adrew Ward picked up the goal on the free kick, which came from nearly 25 yards out. The ball sailed high and over the head of Fredonia keeper Nick Hart, and into the right corner of the goal.
"One was a (penalty kick) and the other was off a set play," Walker said of Falconer's goals. "It was a greatly placed ball. I wouldn't count those goals against the way we played. I think they were what they were."
The Golden Falcons were unable to take the lead as Fredonia, which it had done all game, began to dictate play, moving and possessing the ball seemingly at will, before Lang netted the final goal of the game, and his third on the afternoon.
"We moved the ball well today," Walker said. "I think we dominated most of the game. We played well. I'm happy with the way we played (Tuesday)."
Lang took another cross in the box, this one from Woma (two assists), and beat Dykstra, who finished with nine saves on the day.
"I thought Julius Woma did a great job (passing)," Walker said. "I think the whole team moved the ball well and Aidan capitalized on all the shots. It was great."
Hart finished with three saves for the Hillbillies.
Westfield-Brocton 1, Dunkirk 0
WESTFIELD - Bryce Bentham was credited with the game's only score after Dunkirk (1-6, 1-3) scored an own goal in the 30th minute Tuesday, as Westfield-Brocton (4-3, 1-3) topped the Marauders, 1-0, during CCAA Division 1 boys' soccer action.
The win was the Wolverines' first league win since joining forces with Brocton and moving up from Division 2.
"I think we're holding our own," Westfield-Brocton head coach Jay Pikiewicz said. "But we really don't have a huge team, so we're looking for new players every day."
Ty Bentham made 10 saves to pick up the clean sheet for the Wolverines while counterpart Nick Kobel stopped 11 shots for the Marauders.
