| April 17th,
2005: Hawks 8 – World Bank - 3
The second game of the Spring 2005 season
found the Hawks pitted against long time rival, World Bank Soccer
club in another 5 PM game at the Soccerplex. The weather did
not disappoint for the second week in a row with temperatures
in the 70s and clear skies. In ideal settings, another offensive
onslaught for the Hawks was about to begin. The team was rarely
threatened in the game and cruised to an 8-3 victory over the
newly promoted World Bank side.
The scoring started early in the 10th minute when center midfielder
Mike Williams found a near post seam off a low, driven corner by
flanker Justin Bodiya. Justin assisted again minutes later, finding
striker Will Phouminh in the box, who settled nicely and poked
the nugget past the keeper for a 2-0 Hawks lead. The Bank struck
next, taking advantage off a quickly played free quick while the
Hawks jabbered with the referee. A World Bank player received the
quick ball in the box and was able to slam a shot near post to
make it a 2-1 game. The game stayed the same until the end of the
first half when the Hawks were able to convert again off a nice
individual effort by striker Craig Cochran. Receiving the ball
from flanker Marcos Araus, Craig turned and rifled a shot past
the opponent's net minder, caught unawares. Halftime score Hawks
3, World Bank 1.
A wide open second half provided
five more goals for the Hawks, and unfortunately two more for
the Bank. The Bank scored first
off a poorly granted penalty which was converted for a 3-2 tally.
Minutes later the Hawks scored again off a devastating sequence
of one-time passing which resulted in a blistering one-time strike
by flanker Todd Leber near-post for a 4-2 Hawks lead. Shortly thereafter,
a handball in the box granted World Bank another penalty kick,
but keeper Anthony Peters came up huge again and thwarted the opportunity.
However, the World Bank was not finished and were able to exploit
an uncharacteristically porous Hawks defense to find an open flanker,
who converted off a nice shot to the upper 90.
With the game becoming a closer affair, the Hawks looked to make
no mistake and were rewarded in the 65th minute when center midfielder
Doug Henry received a brilliant one-time lead pass from striker
Will Phouminh and was able to finish. Hawks up 5-3. Minutes later,
Geoff Thompson was tripped up in the box and the Hawks were rewarded
with the penalty. Will Phouminh stepped up and missed the PK, but
was fortunate enough to bang home the rebound to redeem himself
and add to the Hawks tally. Hawks up 6-3. Five minutes later, a
pretty sequence of passing found center midfielder Mike Williams
receiving the ball in the box hitting an excellently placed shot
to the far corner for a 7-3 margin. The final Hawks tally was collected
by center mid Alan Golden, who decided to run by the entire World
Bank defense and rifle a shot between the sticks. The ball was
well struck, and while it should have been saved by the World Bank
keeper, it found its way off his gloves and in the back of the
net for the final Hawks tally on the day.
Overall, a stellar performance by the Hawks offensive unit, but
the team defense certainly left much to be desired. Let there be
no mistake, the Hawks will need to improve their defensive shape
in order to contend for a league championship this season. The
Rangers should provide a tough test in next weekend's matchup.
--
Other WPL League Action on the Weekend:
LCC International - 2, Village Settlements - 2
Glover Park FC - 2, Reds United FC - 1
Quilmes - 1, Dynamos - 0
Rangers FC - 3, St. Ides - 2
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