May 31st,
2010
Hawks Open Copa Taca Campaign with a 2-1 Victory Over Pueblo Viejo Will Take on German-American Kickers of NJ at Home on June 6th for berth in Regional Final (Sun - 5:30 PM - Washington DC- RFK Auxliary Field)
The Dulles Sporsplex Aegean Hawks opened their 2010 Copa Taca campaign on Memorial Day with a 2-1 come from behind victory over the referees and Pueblo Viejo. Pueblo Viejo struck first off a nice counter attack up the left side that was converted nicely in the 35' to put the Hawks on their heels. The first half was a rather passionless display on the part of the Hawks. This fact, coupled with an opponent that was stronger than expected and a particularly biased referee crew saw the Hawks trailing after the abbreviated opening half of play (40 minutes elapsed on stopwatch from kickoff). In the second half, the Hawks stepped up the pressure and seemed to equalize at the 50' mark off a fine free kick goal by Carlos Garcia. However, the referee waived the goal off indicating that the free kick was indirect after signalling as a direct kick just moments prior.
Unfettered, the Hawks kept their composure and Garcia equalized in the 60' mark off an entry pass by Michael Goldman. The Hawks took the lead in the 70' mark off a nice combination play along the right flank that saw Garcia feed Adam Gracia into the box for a nice finish over the onrushing keeper. Moments later Hawks CB Karsten Smith was issued a straight red for a challenge and the Hawks were down to 10 men. Left back Brent Brockman was issued a second yellow card minutes later to give Pueblo Viejo a 2 man advantage for the remainder. The Hawks were able to weather an elapsed second half (52 minutes elapsed on stop watch) to preserve the victory. Next up for the Hawks is a critical Region I Amateur Cup Semifinal on Sunday at the MD Soccerplex. A berth to the Regional Finals on June 27th is at stake and the Hawks will need a victory to remain in the hunt to repeat their 2009 national title.
