SOCCER HAWKS 2008 SEASON COMES TO AN END…

With a hard-fought 1-0 loss to Rockhurst on Friday night (10/24) and an equally hard-fought 3-3 tie with UMSL on Sunday (10/26) the 2008 season for the Soccer Hawks came to an end.

The game between the Rockhurst Hawks and the QU Soccer Hawks was dead even in every way (statistics, possession, chances) except for one touch of the ball that resulted in the RU goal. The game was played on a soft, slushy field with the usual intensity of a QU-RU battle. Both teams played all out are commended for what each put into the match.

Sunday’s match with UMSL was played in extremely windy conditions that put the team playing from the south end of the field to the north end in a very difficult position of battling wind gusts of up to 40 miles per hour as well as the opposing team. The Hawks had the advantage of the wind at their backs during the first half and scored three goals to put them in what looked to be a safe lead. However, with just about a minute left in that half UMSL struck for a goal against the wind that gave them some life going into the intermission. During the second half it appeared that the wind grew even stronger and kept the Hawks pinned down in their own end for most of the period as UMSL was on constant attack ultimately earning a head ball goal in the 69th minutes and then being awarded a penalty kick that was converted in the 80th minute that tied the score. In the first 10-minute overtime period the Hawks nearly won the game (still going against the wind) but unfortunately the shot hit the post instead of the net. With neither team able to get a shot off during the second 10-minutes overtime period the game ended tied at 3-3.

For the year the Hawks finished 9-6-2, a winning record but not quite the season that was anticipated. After getting off to a great 5-0 start the squad hit a mid-season slump going 0-4 during that time. Then, after regrouping, the Hawks finished out the season with 4 wins, 2 losses (both to nationally ranked teams), and 2 ties. The 2008 Hawks featured six senior players (Mike DiSalvo, Steve Miller, Bane Isailovic, Kyle Koenig, Justin Bower, and Dan Merkel). Each one has given their all for the team throughout their career at QU and each will be missed not only as a player but as a fine individual. Those staying behind wish them all the very best throughout the rest of their life.

GO HAWKS…CAN’T WAIT TIL NEXT YEAR!