Bishop Guertin's Trenton Cormier (16) deflects the ball down by Nashua North's Brayden Fortier during Thursday's 0-0 tie at North. (Telegaph photo by TOM KING)

NASHUA – Kick save and a beauty, if you’re a Titan.

Yes, when Nashua North High School boys soccer defender Brayden Fortier kicked the rolling ball away from the goal line in the final minute to help preserve a 0-0 tie with Bishop Guertin on Thursday, it may have just saved the Titans’ season.

North is, as of last look, one spot out of a Division I tournament berth at 4-6-4, with two games left. But had Collin Mills shot during a mad scramble that had North keeper Tyler Byrne not near the ball gone in, you can bet the Titans would likely be home once the tourney starts week after next.

“It scared me completely,” Fortier said. “I could see the ball rolling slowly to the line. I had to get to it as fast as I could.”

“For us, it was more or less a season-saving save at the end there from Brayden,” North coach Jeremy Zelanes said, his team winless in its last three with Winnacunnet on the road and Timberlane at home remaining. “We’re kind of in a little bit of a slump right now, we’re not playing our soccer that we were playing mid-season. We’ve got to demand a little bit more from the leadership on the team to step up, and play a little bit better, play all 80 minutes.”

Guertin had a few flurries in the final 15 minutes, and there were a few golden chances besides Mills’ shot. North defenders blocked a bullet by Guertin’s Liam Irleland with Byrne scrambling, Byrne (seven saves) had reached up to punch away one shot by Griffin Cassell the from right wing, then robbed BG’s Alex Haight, and, cruelest of all, BG’ Landon Burke also hit the crossbar. Deep sigh of relief for the Titans and their fans, frustration for BG and its faithful.

“Absolutely,” Guertin coach Tyler VanDeventer said, who felt Ireland was the key to his team’s aggressive play. “Great game from North in particular, having their starting center back (Jordan Olliviera) out. Good fight from their back line.”

Olliviera was out due to a red card in Tuesday’s 3-0 loss to Manchester Memorial. Now, North had its chances in the last 10 minutes too, one shot ticketed for the net was deflected out by the BG defense, and a free kick off the foot of David Pereira late just didn’t get close enough to Cards keeper Beau Boughter (four saves).

The Cards will take the tie, as it’s something they’re used to at 3-4-6. They haven’t won a game since Sept. 17 when they beat Spaulding 3-0, and have gone 0-2-6 since, so they aren’t comfortable, either. Remember, there’s no more regular season overtime.

“This is our sixth tie of the season, I think that shows the progress we’ve made at BG with the program,” VanDeventer said. “Obviously we’re fighting for a playoff spot right now; it’s important not to lose.”

The Cards for the most part had the better of the play, right from the get-go, which is why North was probably almost happy with the deadlock.

“That’s something we’ve talked about a lot last couple of weeks,” VanDeventer said. “Setting the tone from the outset. Really proud of the intensity level we showed from the get-go.”

Guertin, like North, certainly could have used the win. BG has three games left, including vs. Nashua South on Saturday at Presentation of Mary due to the closing of Stellos Stadium. They then are at Keene and home vs. Goffstown in the final week.

And the Titans are looking for offense, kept off the scoreboard in their last three games.

“Overall our back line did OK, they played well together, obviously we kept them from scoring,” Zelanes said. “But the middle third and attacking third of the field, we weren’t feeling it today.”

But are still breathing regardless, thanks to Fortier’s Save of The Year.