Trojan soccer team tops Albia in overtime

It took 84 minutes to decide a winner Thursday, but the Fairfield boys? soccer team experienced all the excitement that comes with the start of soccer season and more.

Four minutes into the overtime period, the Trojans and Albia finally had a clear winner.

With the score knotted up at 1-all to begin the extra period, Trojan senior Kyle Thomas scored the game-winning goal to hand the Trojans a 2-1 win to kick off the season.

?We came out with a good intensity [in overtime] and we wanted to kill the game,? said Fairfield head coach Felisto Guezimane.

At the 25-minute mark of the first period, Fairfield senior Kendall Mickels scored the Trojans? first goal of the season off a Haven Tichy assist. Fairfield held a 1-0 lead at the midway point.

Albia scored its lone goal to knot the contest up midway through the second period on a free kick. The Blue Demons snuck in the shot while the Trojans were waiting for the referee?s whistle.

?It was miscommunication from the defense and we were waiting for the whistle. [Albia] went before the whistle, which is allowed,? said Guezimane. ?It?s a tricky play and they took advantage of it. We should pay better attention in the future.?

Stian Hoff, who was Fairfield?s keeper during both regular periods, led with six saves.

It was the substitution of Hoff into the midfield in overtime, however, that proved to be the game-changer Fairfield needed.

?The play was to give the ball to Stian, and then we were looking to pass it behind the defenders to Thomas or Mickels,? explained Guezimane.

The play worked to perfection as Hoff?s pass resulted in the game-winning shot from Thomas.

?It?s a good start to the season. The whole team played pretty well,? said Guezimane. ?We?re still a little rough and we have too many players out. Scheduling a game during spring break affected us a little bit, as well.?

The Trojans, now 1-0, kick off a long stretch of away games Monday at Centerville.