CENTERVILLE - The Fairmont Men’s Soccer Team traveled to the Centerville Elks’ Alumni Stadium last night for the 2025 edition of this storied GWOC rivalry. As they have all season, the Birds looked threatening from the first touch of the ball with Bien Niyonkuru getting behind the Elks’ defense in the first minute and seeing his shot from a sharp angle saved by the Elks’ Hudson Day. Six minutes later, the Elks scored the opener with a stunning bicycle kick from a corner. The Birds were not discouraged and pressed for their opener through the middle of the first half with several shots on frame that were saved by Day. Gavin Fourman kept the Elks from increasing their lead with an incredible foot save in the thirty-first minute and another save in the thirty-fifth minute. The Birds grabbed the equalizer with less than two minutes to play when Mordecai Kesner sent a low cross-goal shot inside the far post. Kesner nearly had a brace in the dying seconds of the half, but his shot was wide, and the teams went to halftime tied at one goal apiece.

The Birds moved the ball well and had chances in the second half but could not find their elusive second goal. Instead, the Elks capitalized on a defensive error and scored the game winner with nine minutes remaining, handing Fairmont its second loss of the season. The Birds look to return to their winning ways this Saturday, September 13th where they’ll travel to Lebanon High School to take on the Warriors. JV kickoff is at 9:00 a.m. and Varsity kickoff is at 11:00 a.m.