| April 31st,
2005: Hawks 2 – Glover Park - 5
With rain threatening play, the Hawks were
able to take the field on a damp Saturday 3 PM game vs. the
previous season WPL champs, Glover Park @ Trinity College. Glover
Park had never beaten the Aegean Hawks in league play and came
ready to play. Unfortunately, the Hawks came with a limited
number of field players (12) and no goalie. Backup keeper Pierre
Fults could not navigate his way to the DC field from Northern
Virginia and the Hawks were forced to improvise goal tending
duties. In a game where field play was a toss up, the Hawks
fell to their rivals 2-5 .
The first half began with flanker Matt Carroll minding the nets
for the Aegean side. The Hawks were able to strike first and take
the lead off a scramble in front of the box and tap-in by striker
Will Phouminh at the 5 min mark. However, Glover answered quickly
off a free kick at the edge of the box which was taken quickly
and struck at the corner. The ball was easily savable but the untrained
keeper Carroll did not challenge the shot. Game tied at 1-1. The
rest of the first half was fairly even, with Glover Park getting
a bit more solid chances on breakaways with their speedy forward.
The Hawks applied pressure of their own but were not rewarded.
Glover went up 2-1 in the 35 minute off another shot that should
have been easily saved. Down 1-2 at halftime, the Hawks made a
change at the keeper position and player/manager Jon Knight took
the responsibilities between the nets. It was not a wise decision
as his speed and physical presence was needed at the back to thwart
the direct Glover attack on the counter.
Shortly after halftime, the Glover forward was able to push off
the Hawks defense and come in alone for a shot that was actually
poorly placed and very savable - except the goaltender was of the
poorest quality. Hawks down 1-3. Another goal was scored in similar
fashion by Glover minutes later, and the Hawks were down 1-4. At
the 65 minute mark, striker Irving Williams was able to slam home
a goal for the Hawks to make it 2-4. Doug Henry's free kick in
the 70th hit the crossbar, and Glover scored again off a botched
clearance attempt by the neophyte Hawks keeper. The last 15 minutes
of the game was all Hawks applying considerable pressure, but the
result stayed 2-5 in favor of Glover. A very disappointing result
considering some nice interplay by the guys on the pitch. If a
keeper was available, the score could easily have been tied or
even gone in the Hawks favor off the effort. One thing that was
clear was the effect of not having needed subs as in the first
two games. Fortunately, the Hawks didn't have to wait too long
for an opportunity to show well, as a MDCVSA State Cup match awaited
the following evening vs. 1st place NVSL side, VA United. Next
week in WPL action, the Hawks will look to take revenge upon a
Reds United side that beat the Hawks 4-0 in the previous matchup.
--
Other WPL League Action on the Weekend:
Dynamos - 3 vs. Rangers FC - 3
LCC International - 3 vs. Quilmes - 1
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