May 16^th, 2004: Hawks 2 – Rangers FC – 2
A humid day found the Hawks matched up with Rangers FC, a team comprised of former Georgetown and Davidson University varsity players, at the Polo Grounds in DC. The pitch was in awful shape and made connecting passes difficult for both teams. However, the pitch seemed to suit the kickball style of Rangers squad more than the possession oriented Hawks.

The Hawks struck first in the 25th minute with Alan Golden making a nice play on the side of the box to pass to wide open newcomver, Sean O'Sullivan, who calmly slotted the ball past the Rangers keeper. Hawks up 1-0, but not for long as 10 minutes later, the Rangers were able to find the net after a miscommunication in which Hawks keeper Anthony Peters picked the ball up directly from a throw in of his own teammate. The ensuing indirect free kick about 8 yards from the prize was tapped by the Rangers and slammed with authority to send the ball into the net in pinball fashion. A mental breakdown and the game tied up at 1 apiece at halftime.

The second half found the Hawks pressing for another one-goal margin, and they found it in the 75th minute off a beautiful chip shot by Scottie Hamilton off a nice cross from Sean O'Sullivan. Scottie took the cross and rounded a defender to send the chip over the charging Rangers keeper into the upper 90. Hawks up 2-1 and seemingly in control. In yet another breakdown in the last minutes of the game, the Hawks coughed up possession to Rangers near midfield and a Rangers striker was able to take a pass and send a nice long-range shot into the Hawks net past the lunging hands of keeper Anthony Peters. It was the 85th minute and that's how it ended...a 2-2 tie. A haunting loss of 2 points for the Hawks, who look to face a red-hot La Universitario in a Thurs night match up under the lights at South Run Park.
--
News/Match Report Archives