Update on the 2009 Fall Season

Sorry for not posting QU Soccer Blog Updates recently. I hit the wrong computer key at the wrong time and BAM! I lost my blast e-mail file. If World War III could be started by MY computer errors it would have occurred 10 years or so ago. I still don’t know if I have all my contacts re-entered but I’ve got to start getting Hawk Soccer information out to those I think may be interested. Here’s a quick review of the last month.

On 8/22 the HAWKS played a very good Alumni team. The score at half was 0-0. In the second half the youth and conditioning of the current HAWKS paid off with a 5 -1 win. The Alumni lone goal was scored by Mark Thomas, who had a long-time professional career after leaving QU who was deceivingly the oldest player on the field.

On 8/26 the HAWKS defeated Culver Stockton College 2-0 in an exhibition match. The HAWKS had the better of the play throughout the match and the Wildcats defended well in numbers.

The ’09 season kicked –off for real on 9/1 with a trip to McKendree University. The HAWKS began the game well forcing most of the action in the first 20 minutes getting off several shots and earning several corners. However, not getting a goal during that surge allowed McKendree to get back into the game and eventually start domination. They were rewarded with a PK midway during the first half and converted it for a 1-0 half-time lead. About midway through the second half McKendree was awarded a free kick from outside the penalty area and their shooter scored off a very nice shot making the game 2-0 at that point. In the last 15 minutes of the game the HAWKS put a lot of pressure on the opponent but could not manage a score.

On 9/5 the HAWKS began Soccer Bowl XVI with a 2-0 win over a good Lindenwood University team. The match was scoreless at half-time with perhaps Lindenwood having a little better of the possession during that period. The HAWKS started the second half strong and scored a very nice goal within 45 seconds. Jayme Groark fed the ball to Jack Wedemeier who did a very good job of finishing off the great pass Jayme gave him. Ten minutes later the HAWKS scored again on a nice combination play with Jake Pittroff feeding Jack Wedemeier and Jack very unselfishly squaring the ball across the goal for an unmarked Corey Eatherton to blast home. The rest of the match was a battle between the two penalty areas and the HAWKS stood strong defensively to notch the 2-0 victory.

On 9/6 the HAWKS faced Truman State University for the Championship of Soccer Bowl XVI. The HAWKS were primed and ready to go right from the start and scored a goal within 1:06 of kick-off. Jake Pittroff played the ball across the goal to a waiting Corey Eatherton who place it in the net. Great start! As the game wore on Truman worked themselves back into the match and midway through the half scored on a very nice long range shot from outside the PA, evening up the score at 1-1 at half-time. Twenty minutes into the second half Truman scored again off a very quick re-start just outside the HAWKS 18 yard line. As the HAWKS were forming their defensive wall a crafty Truman player took a chance on a quick shot and nailed it. The HAWKS were caught by surprise as they were expecting the referee to blow a second whistle to restart the play but he didn’t and the goal stood. Over the last 20 minutes of the match the HAWKS threw everything but the “KITCHEN SINK” at the Truman Bulldogs but couldn’t get the equalizing goal. During this time of pressuring the HAWKS had one ball going IN…but a Truman defender raced back behind the keeper and used a heroic slide to nudge the ball just outside the post…AND…missed an open net from the 6 yard line…and had a header bang off the crossbar. A valiant effort was made to save the game but it just didn’t work out for the HAWKS on this occasion.

This coming weekend the HAWKS open GLVC Play with a home match Friday night 9/11 against Rockhurst at 7:30 PM, and then travel to Springfield MO for a Sunday match with Drury University at 2:30 PM.

Updates on these will be sent out next week.

GO HAWKS…