BELLBROOK - Yesterday, the Fairmont Men’s Soccer Team faced GWOC champion Beavercreek High School in its second consecutive District Final Championship appearance. Neither team tested the opposing
goalkeeper in the opening nineteen minutes. The Birds sparked to life in the twentieth when Gavin Weaver curled a corner kick to Freddy Irakoze, whose quick shot was stopped on the goal line. Two minutes later, Beavercreek’s keeper saved Aaron Black’s shot. Weaver broke the deadlock with a wondergoal in the thirty-first minute. After Fairmont worked the ball around the final third, Irakoze found Weaver in space, and the junior midfielder blasted a shot on the half volley from nearly 30 yards away, past the keeper for what proved to be the game-winner. Azariyah Nsabimana nearly doubled the lead a minute later, but Beavercreek’s keeper denied him. In the thirty-seventh minute, the Beavers threatened with a free kick just outside the left side of the penalty area, but Carson Dewald made a composed save. Neither side mounted another attack before halftime, and Fairmont went into the break ahead.

The Birds opened the second half with the same intensity, but Weaver’s free kicks from outside the box in the forty-sixth and forty-ninth minutes were saved. Irakoze’s bid to double the lead in the sixtieth minute was stopped at the near post, and Carson Dewald made a save through traffic in the sixty-fifth. Fairmont nearly added an insurance goal in the seventy-third minute, but Beavercreek’s defenders blocked several shots before clearing the ball. The Birds’ team defense made another goal unnecessary, securing Fairmont’s second consecutive District Championship at the final whistle. It's the first time in program history they have won back-to-back district titles.

The Firebirds play Walnut Hills High School in the Southwest Regional Semi-Finals this Wednesday, November 4th at 7:00 p.m. at Wright State University. Go Birds!