Men's Soccer News

HAWKS REPEAT AS REGION XX CHAMPIONS

Tuesday, October 31 - The CSM men's soccer team won their second Region XX Championship in a row, as they defeated Essex 2-1 in a game played Saturday at Chesapeake.  The Hawks advance to play Region X Champion Louisburg next Saturday, November 4, at 1:00 PM, also at Chesapeake.  The winner will advance to the National Tournament in Tyler, Texas. 

 
CSM Soccer Team holds Region XX Championship Plaque after defeating Essex 2-1

     The Hawks took control of the game in the early going, keeping pressure on the Essex goalkeeper, as CSM had four quality scoring chances, but each time the Hawks shot wide or just over the top of the goal, and the score remained tied at the half 0-0.

     Five minutes into the second half the Hawks finally hit pay dirt.  Justin Daniels made a quick throw in down the left line, hitting the Nation's leading scorer Brandon Gross, who outraced the Essex defense and found net on the left side of the goal, giving CSM a 1-0 lead. 

      CSM (17-5) scored again with 25:00 left in the game off a corner kick.  A.J. Sweeney hit a high arching kick that soared over the Knight defenders and found Dan Heaney alone, five yards in front of the goal, and Heaney converted his seventh goal of the year to put the Hawks up 2-0. 

     "We played like a team who has been here before", said CSM Head Soccer Coach Tony Galeano.  "We worked hard, we had something to prove after losing to Essex in the regular season."

     Down 2-0 and facing elimination, Essex (13-3-3) pressed the attack in the final 20 minutes of the game, keeping play in the Hawks end of the field.  The pressure paid off, as Razuan Butoi-Varga was fouled in the penalty box and converted the penalty kick to cut the CSM lead to 2-1 with 5:00 to play.  Essex continued to keep the pressure on the Hawks as they sought the tying goal, and only superb defense by sweeper Jorge Lopez and the rest of the Hawk defense was able to keep the Knights at bay, and secure back to back Regional Titles for the Hawks.

     Dan Heaney, Jorge Lopez, Dan Funk, Cullen McKenzie, Guil Costa, and Brandon Gross were named to the All Tournament Team for the Hawks. 

     The match-up against Louisburg should be a classic, as two of the top scorer's in the country, CSM's Brandon Gross (73 pts.), and Guil Costa (59 pts.) face one of the nation's top goalies in Sammy Moukram (.78 goals per game).