By james art 
Staff photo / Dan Hiner Fitch’s Tyrismer Mendez Tirado (19) tries to settle for a jump ball while holding off a pair of Green defenders during Monday’s Division II semifinal at Greene Memorial Stadium.
GREEN — It had been just over a month since the Austintown Fitch and Green girls soccer teams faced off at Falcon Stadium.
The Bulldogs won that September night, and it was a similar story Monday when the two faced each other again in a Division II district semifinal. This time, the Bulldogs advanced with a 4-0 win at Greene Memorial Stadium.
“We knew going into this match that we were going to see an opponent who is very technical, very good,” Fitch coach Kara Garland said.
The Falcons (3-12-2) fell behind early and were forced to play catch up all night. The Bulldogs struck just under eight minutes into the game and controlled the first 20 minutes of play.
Green (10-5-3) extended its lead to 2-0 with 3:12 to play before halftime. Madison Curley sent a free kick into the bottom right corner and past the outstretched arms of Fitch goalkeeper Jordan Corl.
“I feel like we got a bit of momentum in the second half of the first half and then we conceded again from a free kick,” Garland said.
Things then went from bad to worse as Corll had to leave the game five minutes into the second half. She came to the edge of the penalty area to try to stop a shot, but the ball caught her in the head. Melina Carabia grabbed a pin and a pair of gloves to finish the game in net.
Green took advantage of a goalie change when Leilani McMichael lifted a shot over Carabia’s head less than a minute after her shot at the back end.
Despite allowing the quick score, Carabia helped keep the Falcons in the game. She recorded 10 saves and the last goal conceded came in the final minutes when the game was already decided.
“(Carrabbia) is very willing to go in anywhere,” Garland said. “When Jordan went down, it was like she already knew and was directing people on the sideline to go get her gloves, like she was going to score. She did a fantastic job.”
The Falcons had several opportunities to put pressure on the Bulldogs, but were unable to break through.
In the first half, Serena Robinson followed up a shot and opened the door on a ricochet attempt, but the ball stuck at her feet along the left side of the frame. In the second half, Tyrismer Mendes Tirado broke through the defense of the Greens. She had some space but couldn’t get enough on the shot to get past the keeper.
“We had scary moments for them,” Garland said. “I feel like that’s something we’ve struggled with all season, just having someone who can put the ball in the net consistently. I feel like we had moments in the game where we were a threat to them.”
Garland finished his first season as head coach of the Falcons. She also had to say goodbye to her senior class of seven girls. This group consisted of Sophia Hunter, Alex Willis, Addison Williams, Janna Franklin, Chloe Smith, Corl and Robinson.
“The progress they made, they never gave up, they agreed with what we were trying to achieve and disagreed,” Garland said. “There were maybe three or four that started at the beginning of the season, but by the end of it everyone had the ability to start.
“We’re going to miss the senior class. Jordan in goal, Chloe, (and the) other players on the pitch… they are irreplaceable. We are grateful for the effort and what they brought to the program.”