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By Brendan Bergen, Contributing Writer Updated 4:05 AM Wednesday, November 4, 2009

CINCINNATI — The Lakota West Firebirds are heading back to the Ohio regional finals for the first time since 2004 after a second-half offensive outburst pushed the team past Fairmont 3-0 on Tuesday, Nov. 3, at Sycamore High School.

After an uneventful first half of play, it looked like neither team would ever find the net. But Lakota West came out of the break with two quick goals in a span of three minutes to put Fairmont on the ropes.

All game long, however, it was the West defense that stifled Fairmont’s attack, limiting the other Firebirds to just two shots on goal.

“They are very solid on defense,” Fairmont head coach Tom Robey said.

“We’ve got to give them the credit, because we’ve scored a lot of goals this year and created a lot of chances on teams. But tonight, for the most part, they really shut us down.”

And while the West defense pitched its eighth straight shutout, it looked like the game would be heading to penalty kicks after a mostly mum first half by both teams.

“Honestly, I thought the first half was boring,” West head coach Rick Cooper said. “But what we talked about at halftime was the opportunities you get in life, and how you can’t waste those moments.”

Less than five minutes into the second half, the Firebirds began seizing their opportunities. With 39:08 on the clock, West’s John Wittich found Frank Re, who cleaned up a well-placed cross to give West the lead. Three minutes later, the Firebirds would strike again after a long throw-in by senior Nick Hagglund grazed off teammate Tyler Eno into the net.

Then it was Hagglund’s heroics once again, as the senior scored the game’s knockout blow off a penalty kick with 12:36 remaining.

West improved to 15-2-2 as goalkeeper Robert Hasselfeld picked up his 12th shutout of the season. In fact, the team has yet to allow a goal in four playoff games this fall.

West advances to play Beavercreek at 3 p.m. Saturday at Princeton.

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