2008 Woodie Awards
RSSEager for victory, team heads home
By Daniel Stern
Issue date: 10/26/07 Section: Sports
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The Mountain Hawks return to their home stadium after three losses against Holy Cross College, American and Columbia Universities, leaving the team with a 5-6-2 record for the season, 1-3-0 in the league.
With just three games remaining in league play, securing a victory against Army is vital in order to keep the team's hopes of making the league tournament alive.
After being dismissed from last year's tournament by Bucknell University - a game that ended in regulation with a 2-2 score and proceeded to a 4-1 defeat in a penalty shoot out - the Hawks are focused on qualifying for this year's competition, in an attempt to eclipse last year's effort.
"With a 1-3 record, and three Patriot League games remaining, three wins should secure us a spot in the tournament," senior co-captain and defender Michael Hessemer said. "Army's team is always extremely physically fit, and we must be prepared for a very physical game. It will be important to play our style of soccer."
Head Coach Dean Koski has made drastic changes to the Hawks' style of play defensively in order to ensure a win.
Previously, the team used a style in which the entire team would focus on aggressive defense along with their usual jobs.
However, now the team's goal is to have the forwards and midfielders focus their attention more offensively.
"After giving up too many goals off of counter attacks, Coach Koski has altered the style in which we are pressuring opposing teams," sophomore goalie Chris Varga said.
Varga, who many expected to be this season's starting goalie, dislocated his shoulder during preseason. After making an attempt at a comeback, he re-injured his shoulder, forcing him to red shirt the season.
In order to win tomorrow, the Hawks need to eliminate preventable errors, Hessemer said.
"The four defensemen and our keeper need to cut out unforced mistakes," Hessember said. "While our midfielders and forwards can do a better job holding onto the ball, which will create more scoring opportunities."
The Hawks' attack is led by forwards junior Jim Taranto and sophomore Kyle Evan. Evans leads the team with 19 points, Taranto has nine.
In the midfield, the Hawks will look towards sophomore Adam Welch to continue the offensive pressure he had against American. Welch had nine shots in the game.
Army is led by senior midfielder Chris Conklin, with 12 points this season, and junior forward Garrett Dresel, with eight.
After the game against Army, the remaining two league matches are against Bucknell, who is 2-1-1 in Patriot League play, and Colgate University, who sits atop the Patriot League standings with a 3-0-1 league record.
"With just three Patriot League games left this season, it is important for us to focus on Army, rather than looking ahead to Bucknell or Colgate," Hessemer said. "Taking it one game at a time will be key to our success."
Game time is set for 7 p.m. tomorrow at the Ulrich Student Complex.
