| September 25th,
2004: Hawks 3 – Glover Park – 2
The Hawks took the field early
on Saturday morning against an undermanned, but game Glover Park
squad. While undermanned themselves, missing several key players,
the Hawks were still eager to put last week's disappointing showing
behind them. Glover Park has been one of the top two teams in the
WPL for the last three seasons, and the Hawks were hoping to capitalize
on a strong 3-1 result against them in the Spring season. Saturday's
matchup took place on an extremely narrow and rocky Fairland Regional
Park field in Laurel, MD.
To the Hawks amazement, Glover
Park took to the pitch with eight field players. Knowing that they
would hold a two man advantage for the duration, the Hawks looked
to capitalize early. Several chances came close in the opening minutes,
until Alan Golden was able to beat the Glover Park back line and
get a one vs. one on the keeper, which he tucked away to the right
corner with ease. Hawks up 1-0 in the 10th minute. Glover Park,
however, was managing some threatening chances of their own by playing
the ball to their speedy forward, #4 - Matt Ney. The Hawks managed
to leave said player alone up top and with space to turn and face
the defense or at times failed to double properly on long balls
sent his way. In the first half, the Hawks error in strategy paid
dividends for the Glover Park team. They were packing in the defense
and sending their forward into space. Often with only one man to
beat, he was getting chances. In the 25th minute, he was able to
convert after beating his man down the right side and cutting into
the box. Before the central defender could come and close his angle,
he was able to blast a shot near post to the roof of the net. Game
tied up 1-1.
The rest of the half saw the
same type of up and down play. The field was so narrow that the
Glover Park defense was able to pack it in effectively. The Hawks
naturally had more chances given their advantage, but Glover was
continuing to capitalize on the Hawks inability to contain their
lone forward properly and they were getting opportunities at the
net. The Hawks were able to convert their second goal was a beautifully
struck header by center back John Stephens off a driven corner into
the box by Jamie Pettengill. Hawks up 2-1 in the 35th minute. Once
again, the Hawks lead was short lived as a indirect free kick deep
in the Hawks box was converted by Glover Park with a low hard shot
that left Hawks keeper Anthony Peters heavily screened and helpless
to stop the shot. Game tied 2-2 in the 41st minute and that's the
way it stayed until halftime.
At halftime, the Hawks decided
to man mark the lone Glover forward for the duration of the game.
From the opening kick of the second half, it was a different story
for the Hawks. The team was able to dominate the remainder of play
and use their man advantage, and the defense rose to the occasion
as Chris Douglas and John Stephens were able to nullify the Glover
forwards attacks. Jamie Pettengill played an excellent game in the
middle and also was threatening from the flanks playing outside
back. Newcomers Ikenna Myers and Justin Bodiya played well and were
able get more familiar with the other team members. Veteran forward
Irving Williams turned in another stellar performance in relief
up top. Glover had one very good chance in the 73rd minute off a
great individual effort that beat three men, only to have the final
shot sail mercifully way over the crossbar. Besides this defensive
blemish, the Hawks were able to press forward with wave after wave
of attacks. Several shots hit the post before John Stephens hit
a rocket from 20 yards in the 80th minute that took an opportune
hop, leaving the Glover Park keeper defenseless to stop it. That's
how the game ended. The Hawks took advantage of a golden opportunity
and picked up the needed win, but not without a fantastic effort
by Glover Park, who should hold their heads very high in threatening
for the outcome. The Hawks look to turn in a better effort on Sunday
against Emerald Knights. Several more players will be available
for tomorrow's game against the Emerald Knights. The Hawks will
look to avenge their lone loss from the Fall 2003 season and pick
up another coveted W.
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