Fairfield goalie sets school record for saves

When you’re the goalie on a winless boys high school lacrosse team, it would be easy to assume you’re having a poor season.

That’s not the case with Fairfield High School’s Joshua Diercks, a sophomore goalie.

Diercks has recorded 64 saves for the Indians, 0-4 overall, 0-2 in the Greater Miami Conference. Last week, in a 20-0 loss to Oak Hills, he had 28 saves, the most in school history.

That means Oak Hills had nearly 50 shots on goal.

Or as Fairfield coach Logan Poe, a former high school and college lacrosse goalie, said: “That’s a lot.”

Diercks, team captain, understands his team is young so there will be growing pains as the players continue learning.

Poe, who previously coached at Springboro High School, said he’s trying to grow the Fairfield program. Now in his second year, Poe has 15 players on the roster, 13 of them healthy.

“We’re struggling with the pipeline,” he said. “It’s been a battle the whole season.”

He’s thankful for those on the team and appreciates how Diercks has stepped into a leadership role.

Diercks played midfielder and goalie as a freshman, then due to his off-season workouts and dedication, was named the starting goalie.

“He has shown quiet leadership,” Poe said.

As a goalie, Diercks said he’s like the quarterback of the defense. He must direct his teammates to be in the right position at all times. Otherwise, he’s left one-on-one.

Poe said goalies are on an island and they’re the “first person you see when there’s a save, and the last person you see when there’s a goal.”

There have been times after games when Diercks’ body has been black and blue from the beating he’s taken in the net. Sometimes a helmet, chest protector, gloves and a stick are no match for a lacrosse ball.

“He put his body on the line for this team,” Poe said.

For Diercks, playing lacrosse at Fairfield can’t be measured by what the scoreboard reads. Friends, he said, are more valuable and will last longer than wins.

He leans heavily of his faith and “gives all credit” to God, he said.