The Highland Scots soccer team earned its first win of the 2021 season with a tough 3-2 victory over visiting Franklin Heights on Wednesday at Fishburn Family Field.
The visit was a harsh one for the Golden Falcons of Franklin Heights, as they were stuck in traffic while traveling from Columbus and arrived just barely before the 5 p.m. scheduled kick-off. After the hosts allowed Franklin Heights to warm up and get loose, the game started at 5:20 p.m. The Falcons were more warned up than Highland Heights, as they struck quickly.
At 6 minutes in, Franklin Heights took a 1-0 lead, and a defensive lapse by the Scots turned into a 2-0 Golden Falcons lead before the 10-minute mark and kept that lead throughout the first half.
The second half was all Scots, as they tallied three unanswered goals to seal the win. Pressuring the Golden Falcons from the opening moments, Highland scored its first goal at the 9-minute mark, on a penalty kick by Dylan Thomas.
About 10 minutes later, Zane Sheets tied it up on a lob that found the back of the net, assisted by a cross from freshman Malin Fichtner.
At that point, strong work from the offensive zone to the defensive zone by Mason Keller, Ben Evans, Caleb Hunter, Cody Thomas and Jack Chaffee maintained steady control for the Scots, while keeper Adi Karya stopped five shots and was aided by strong defense from Darren Styer and Patrick Bracken.
With about 12 minutes left, the Scots took the lead on the game-winner by Dylan Thomas on a rebound off a hard shot by Fichtner.
The Scots look to build on their win Saturday at 7 p.m. at Covrett Stadium, where they face Mount Vernon.
