The match turned out to be a defensive battle, as neither team was able to light up the scoreboard, and the end result was a 0-0 draw between the two schools.

Although it wasn’t a victory, Canfield (2-6-2) coach Cristian Silvestri knows his team can take something away from the match.

“Our record doesn’t really show the type of team we are, we’re a good team,” Silvestri said. “The boys just had to step up, they’re young players, they had to play their roles and obviously they held them (Howland) to zero. They’re one of the better teams in the area, so it says a lot about my team.

“It just proves the type of team we are. We came out, we followed instructions, we played as hard as we could, and ultimately both teams want to win. But for us this is like a victory, a moral victory, and the boys are extremely excited, as they should be. They deserved it 100 percent.”

By Robert Hayes / Correspondent Canfield keeper Ali Shalash prepares to distribute the ball after a save Thursday against Howland.

Howland (9-0-1) coach Brian Stiles gave credit to his goalkeepers for keeping the Cardinals off the board.

“Canfield came out with a great plan, the kids executed it great, and we struggled to find the net,” Stiles said. “They had plenty of chances too, and I think our keepers (Donato Marsco and Lucas Brill) came up big tonight. They kind of saved us.

“We have two of the best keepers in the entire area, and we don’t use them a ton, but we needed them tonight, and they came up big for us.”

Freshman Ali Shalash recorded his first career varsity clean sheet for Canfield, and he credited his defense for helping him throughout the evening.

“It feels good, couldn’t do it without my teammates though, I mean you saw the shots that my defenders blocked, it helped me out a lot,” Shalash said.

He wasn’t fazed by the fact it was a tight match either.

“No, because I have my boys out there supporting me, really good defense, really good midfield, great team all together. They wouldn’t let it happen.”

The Cardinals have been hit with the injury bug this season, which is forcing them to start some younger players. Silvestri said going toe-to-toe with one of the Valley’s better teams helps his team gain something.

“Honest to God, confidence. I mean, if they can’t go home and tell themselves they played a great freaking game tonight, then I don’t know what else,” Silvestri said.

“They came out, they hustled, they got to the ball, and most of all they played as a team and that’s what we’re trying to do here.”

Stiles said the Tigers can take a few things from last night’s match as well.

“There’s a lot of things you can learn from a game like this. One is that Canfield is already, always ready to play us, and always has a good team,” Stiles said.

“We’ve just got to build off of this and recognize, I think we panicked quite a bit there, especially as we got later and later in the second half, and they kind of bit us. It’s hard to play the game of soccer when you’re panicked.”